Bridged N-Bicyclic Sulfonamido Inhibitors of Gamma Secretase

ABSTRACT

The invention provides N-bicyclic sulfonamido compounds of Formula (I) wherein A is as described in the specification and R 1  and R 2  combine to form a [3.3.1] or a [3.2.1] ring system. Compounds of Formula I are useful in treating or preventing cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer&#39;s Disease. The invention also encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I) as well as methods of treating cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer&#39;s disease.

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional application No. 60/709,961, filed Aug. 19, 2005, which is incorporated by reference, in its entirety.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/709,961 filed Aug. 19, 2005 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to bridged N-bicyclic sulfonamido compounds, which inhibit gamma secretase and β-amyloid peptide release and/or its synthesis. Therefore, the N-bicyclic sulfonamido compounds are useful in the prevention of cognitive disorders in patients susceptible to cognitive disorders and/or in the treatment of patients with cognitive disorders in order to inhibit further deterioration in their condition.

2. State of the Art

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disorder characterized clinically by progressive loss of memory, cognition, reasoning, judgment and emotional stability that gradually leads to profound mental deterioration and ultimately death. AD is a very common cause of progressive mental failure (dementia) in aged humans and is believed to represent the fourth most common medical cause of death in the United States. AD has been observed in races and ethnic groups worldwide and presents a major present and future public health problem. The disease is currently estimated to affect about two to three million individuals in the United States alone. AD is at present incurable. No treatment that effectively prevents AD or reverses its symptoms and course is currently known.

The brains of individuals with AD exhibit characteristic lesions termed senile (or amyloid) plaques, amyloid angiopathy (amyloid deposits in blood vessels) and neurofibrillary tangles. Large numbers of these lesions, particularly amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, are generally found in several areas of the human brain important for memory and cognitive function in patients with AD. Smaller numbers of these lesions in a more restrictive anatomical distribution are also found in the brains of most aged humans who do not have clinical AD. Amyloid plaques and amyloid angiopathy also characterize the brains of individuals with Trisomy 21 (Down's Syndrome) and Hereditary Cerebral Hemorrhage with Amyloidosis of the Dutch Type (HCHWA-D). At present, a definitive diagnosis of AD usually requires observing the aforementioned lesions in the brain tissue of patients who have died with the disease or, rarely, in small biopsied samples of brain tissue taken during an invasive neurosurgical procedure.

The principal chemical constituent of the amyloid plaques and vascular amyloid deposits (amyloid angiopathy) characteristic of AD and the other disorders mentioned above is an approximately 4.2 kilodalton (kD) protein of about 39-43 amino acids designated the β-amyloid peptide (βAP) or sometimes Aβ, AβP or β/A4. β-Amyloid peptide was first purified and a partial amino acid sequence was provided by Glenner et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 120:885-890 (1984) The isolation procedure and the sequence data for the first 28 amino acids are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,829.

Molecular biological and protein chemical analyses have shown that the β-amyloid peptide is a small fragment of a much larger precursor protein termed the amyloid precursor protein (APP), that is normally produced by cells in many tissues of various animals, including humans. Knowledge of the formula of the gene encoding APP has demonstrated that β-amyloid peptide arises as a peptide fragment that is cleaved from APP by protease enzyme(s). Sequential, processing of the precursor protein by the enzymes referred to generically as beta- and gamma-secretases, give rise to the β-amyloid peptide fragment. Both enzymes have now been molecularly cloned, and characterized to differing levels.

Several lines of evidence indicate that progressive cerebral deposition of β-amyloid peptide plays a seminal role in the pathogenesis of AD and can precede cognitive symptoms by years or decades. See, for example, Selkoe, Neuron, 6:487-498 (1991). The most important line of evidence is the discovery that missense DNA mutations at amino acid 717 of the 770-amino acid isoform of APP can be found in affected members but not unaffected members of several families with a genetically determined (familial) form of AD (Goate et al., Nature, 349:704-706 (1990); Chartier Harlan et al., Nature, 353:844-846 (1989); and Murrell et al., Science, 254:97-99 (1991.) Another such mutation, known as the Swedish variant, is comprised of a double mutation changing lysine⁵⁹⁵-methionine⁵⁹⁶ to asparagine⁵⁹⁵-leucine⁵⁹⁶ (with reference to the 695 isoform was found in a Swedish family) was reported in 1992 (Mullan et al., Nature Genet., 1:345-347 (1992). Genetic linkage analyses have demonstrated that these mutations, as well as certain other mutations in the APP gene, are the specific molecular cause of AD in the affected members of such families. In addition, a mutation at amino acid 693 of the 770-amino acid isoform of APP has been identified as the cause of the β-amyloid peptide deposition disease, HCHWA-D, and a change from alanine to glycine at amino acid 692 appears to cause a phenotype that resembles AD is some patients but HCHWA-D in others. The discovery of these and other mutations in APP in genetically based cases of AD prove that alteration of APP metabolism, and subsequent deposition of it β-amyloid peptide fragment, can cause AD.

Despite the progress which has been made in understanding the underlying mechanisms of AD and other β-amyloid peptide related diseases, there remains a need to develop methods and compositions for treatment of the disease(s). Ideally, the treatment methods would advantageously be based on drugs which are capable of inhibiting β-amyloid peptide release and/or its synthesis in vivo.

One approach toward inhibiting amyloid peptide synthesis in vivo is by inhibiting gamma secretase, the enzyme responsible for the carboxy-terminal cleavage resulting in production of β-amyloid peptide fragments of 40 or 42 residues in length. The immediate substrates for gamma secretase are β-cleaved, as well as α-cleaved carboxy-terminal fragments (CTF) of APP. The gamma-secretase cleavage site on β- and α-CTF fragments occurs in the predicted transmembrane domain of APP. Inhibitors of gamma-secretase have been demonstrated to effect amyloid pathology in transgenic mouse models (Dovey, H. F., V. John, J. P. Anderson, L. Z. Chen, P. de Saint Andrieu, L. Y. Fang, S. B. Freedman, B. Folmer, E. Goldbach, E. J. Holsztynska et al. (2001). “Functional gamma-secretase inhibitors reduce beta-amyloid peptide levels in brain.” J. Neurochem 76(1): 173-81.)

Gamma secretase is recognized to be a multi-subunit complex comprised of the presenilins (PS1 or PS2), Nicastrin, Aph-1, and Pen 2 (De Strooper, B. (2003). “Aph-1, Pen-2, and Nicastrin with Presenilin generate an active gamma-Secretase complex.” Neuron 38(1): 9-12; Edbauer, D., E. Winkler, J. T. Regula, B. Pesold, H. Steiner and C. Haass (2003). “Reconstitution of gamma-secretase activity.” Nat Cell Biol 5(5): 486-8; Kimberly, W. T., M. J. LaVoie, B. L. Ostaszewski, W. Ye, M. S. Wolfe and D. J. Selkoe (2003). “Gamma-secretase is a membrane protein complex comprised of presenilin, nicastrin, Aph-1, and Pen-2.” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 100(11): 6382-7). Much evidence indicates that PS comprises the catalytic moiety of the complex, while the other identified subunits are necessary for proper maturation and sub-cellular localization of the active enzyme complex (reviewed in De Strooper, B. (2003). “Aph-1, Pen-2, and Nicastrin with Presenilin generate an active gamma-Secretase complex.” Neuron 38(1): 9-12.) Consistent with this hypothesis: PS knock-out mice exhibit significant reductions in β-amyloid production (De Strooper, B., P. Saftig, K. Craessaerts, H. Vanderstichele, G. Guhde, W. Annaert, K. Von Figura and F. Van Leuven (1998). “Deficiency of presenilin-1 inhibits the normal cleavage of amyloid precursor protein.” Nature 391(6665): 387-90; Haass, C. and D. J. Selkoe (1998). “Alzheimer's disease. A technical KO of amyloid-beta peptide.” Nature 391(6665): 339-40; Herreman, A., L. Serneels, W. Annaert, D. Collen, L. Schoonjans and B. De Strooper (2000). “Total inactivation of gamma-secretase activity in presenilin-deficient embryonic stem cells.” Nat Cell Biol 2(7): 461-2); point mutations of putative active site aspartate residues in PS trans-membrane domains inhibit β-amyloid production in cells in a dominant negative fashion (Wolfe, M. S., W. Xia, B. L. Ostaszewski, T. S. Diehl, W. T. Kimberly and D. J. Selkoe (1999). “Two transmembrane aspartates in presenilin-1 required for presenilin endoproteolysis and gamma-secretase activity.” Nature 398(6727): 513-7; Kimberly, W. T., W. Xia, T. Rahmati, M. S. Wolfe and D. J. Selkoe (2000). “The transmembrane aspartates in presenilin 1 and 2 are obligatory for gamma-secretase activity and amyloid beta-protein generation.” J Biol Chem 275(5): 3173-8); active site directed substrate-based transition state isosteres designed to inhibit gamma secretase directly conjugate to PS (Esler, W. P., W. T. Kimberly, B. L. Ostaszewski, T. S. Diehl, C. L. Moore, J. Y. Tsai, T. Rahmati, W. Xia, D. J. Selkoe and M. S. Wolfe (2000). “Transition-state analogue inhibitors of gamma-secretase bind directly to presenilin-i.” Nat Cell Biol 2(7): 428-34; Li, Y. M., M. Xu, M. T. Lai, Q. Huang, J. L. Castro, J. DiMuzio-Mower, T. Harrison, C. Lellis, A. Nadin, J. G. Neduvelil et al. (2000). “Photoactivated gamma-secretase inhibitors directed to the active site covalently label presenilin 1.” Nature 405(6787): 689-94); finally, allosteric gamma secretase inhibitors have likewise been demonstrated to bind directly to PS (Seiffert, D., J. D. Bradley, C. M. Rominger, D. H. Rominger, F. Yang, J. E. Meredith, Jr., Q. Wang, A. H. Roach, L. A. Thompson, S. M. Spitz et al. (2000). “Presenilin-1 and -2 are molecular targets for gamma-secretase inhibitors.” J Biol Chem 275(44): 34086-91.)

Current evidence indicates that in addition to APP processing leading to β-amyloid synthesis, gamma-secretase also mediates the intra-membrane cleavage of other type I transmembrane proteins (reviewed in Fortini, M. E. (2002). “Gamma-secretase-mediated proteolysis in cell-surface-receptor signaling.” Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 3(9): 673-84, see also Struhl, G. and A. Adachi (2000). “Requirements for presenilin-dependent cleavage of notch and other transmembrane proteins.” Mol Cell 6(3): 625-36.) Noteworthy among the known substrates of gamma-secretase is mammalian Notch 1. The Notch 1 protein is important for cell fate determination during development, and tissue homeostasis in the adult. Upon ligand engagement via the Notch ecto-domain, Notch undergoes sequential extra-cellular and intra-membrane processing analogous to APP. The intra-membrane processing of Notch mediated by gamma secretase leads to release of the Notch intracellular domain (NICD). The NICD fragment mediates Notch signaling via translocation to the nucleus, where it regulates expression of genes mediating cellular differentiation in many tissues during development, as well as in the adult.

Disruption of Notch signaling via genetic knock-out (KO) results in embryonic lethal phenotype in mice (Swiatek, P. J., C. E. Lindsell, F. F. del Amo, G. Weinmaster and T. Gridley (1994). “Notch1 is essential for postimplantation development in mice.” Genes Dev 8(6): 707-19; Conlon, R. A., A. G. Reaume and J. Rossant (1995). “Notch1 is required for the coordinate segmentation of somites.” Development 121(5): 1533-45.) The Notch KO phenotype is very similar to the phenotype observed PS1 KO mice, and precisely reproduced by PS1/PS2 double KO mice (De Strooper et al. (1998). “Deficiency of presenilin-1 inhibits the normal cleavage of amyloid precursor protein.” Nature 391(6665): 387-90; Donoviel, D. B., A. K. Hadjantonakis, M. Ikeda, H. Zheng, P. S. Hyslop and A. Bernstein (1999). “Mice lacking both presenilin genes exhibit early embryonic patterning defects.” Genes Dev 13(21): 2801-10; Herreman, A., L. Serneels, W. Annaert, D. Collen, L. Schoonjans and B. De Strooper (2000). “Total inactivation of gamma-secretase activity in presenilin-deficient embryonic stem cells.” Nat Cell Biol 2(7): 461-2.) This convergence of phenotypes observed in knock-out mice of either the substrate (Notch) or the enzyme (PS) suggests that inhibitors of gamma secretase that also inhibit Notch function may be limited as therapeutic agents owing to the importance of Notch function in adult tissues (Fortini, M. E. (2002). “Gamma-secretase-mediated proteolysis in cell-surface-receptor signaling.” Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 3(9): 673-84.) As APP knock-out mice develop normally and without an overt phenotype Zheng, H., M. Jiang, M. E. Trumbauer, R. Hopkins, D. J. Sirinathsinghji, K. A. Stevens, M. W. Conner, H. H. Slunt, S. S. Sisodia, H. Y. Chen et al. (1996). “Mice deficient for the amyloid precursor protein gene.” Ann N Y Aced Sci 777: 421-6; Zheng, H., M. Jiang, M. E. Trumbauer, D. J. Sirinathsinghji, R. Hopkins, D. W. Smith, R. P. Heavens, G. R. Dawson, S. Boyce, M. W. Conner et al. (1995). “beta-Amyloid precursor protein-deficient mice show reactive gliosis and decreased locomotor activity.” Cell 81(4): 525-31, the cumulative evidence, therefore, suggests that preferred gamma secretase inhibitors would have selectivity for inhibiting gamma secretase processing of APP over gamma secretase processing of Notch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula I:

including stereoisomers, tautomers, mixtures of stereoisomers and/or tautomers, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof

wherein

the A-ring is aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl, where each ring is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, aryloxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁;

R₁ and R₂ combine to form a [3.3.1] or a [3.2.1] ring system, where the nitrogen is attached to the two bridgehead carbons, where 0 or 1 of the carbons in the ring system is optionally replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group; where x is 0, 1 or 2; and where the [3.3.1] or [3.2.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-O—, —S—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR′, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃;

R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with an aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or

R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S;

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₅ is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, —SO₂R′, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and

R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, aryloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

The compounds of Formula I inhibit β-amyloid peptide release and/or its synthesis and, therefore, are useful in the prevention of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in patients susceptible to AD and/or in the treatment of patients with AD in order to inhibit further deterioration in their condition. The invention also, encompasses pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of Formula I, and methods employing such compounds or compositions in the treatment of cognitive diseases, including Alzheimer's disease.

The invention also provides a method of treating a patient who has, or in preventing a patient from getting, a disease or condition selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, for helping prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease, for treating patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease in those who would progress from MCI to AD, for treating Down's syndrome, for treating humans who have Hereditary Cerebral Hemorrhage with Amyloidosis of the Dutch-Type, for treating cerebral amyloid angiopathy and preventing its potential consequences, i.e. single and recurrent lobar hemorrhages, for treating other degenerative dementias, including dementias of mixed vascular and degenerative origin, dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, dementia associated with progressive supranuclear palsy, dementia associated with cortical basal degeneration, age related macular degeneration or diffuse Lewy body type of Alzheimer's disease and who is in need of such treatment which comprises administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods of preparing the compounds of interest, as well as intermediates useful in preparing the compounds of interest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE. INVENTION

As described above, the invention provides for compounds according to Formula I.

In one aspect, the A-ring is phenyl, C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, heteroaryl that is pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, or imidazolyl, or heterocycloalkyl that is pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, or thiomorpholinyl-S,S-dioxide, where each of the above rings is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, aryloxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In another aspect, the invention provides a compound of Formula II, i.e., a compound of Formula I with the formula:

where 0 or 1 of the carbons in the [3.2.1] ring system is optionally replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group;

x is 0, 1 or 2

the [3.2.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-O—, —S—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃;

R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with an aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or

R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S;

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy; haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₅ is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, —SO₂R′, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and

R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, aryloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula III, i.e. compounds of Formula II having the formula:

wherein

the A-ring is aryl (such as phenyl or naphthyl, preferably phenyl), which is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halogen C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenyloxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁;

wherein 0 or 1 of the carbons in the [3.2.1] ring system is optionally replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group; and where the [3.2.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-O—, —S—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, i.e., compounds of the Formula III having the following formula:

wherein,

0 of the carbons in the [3.2.1] ring system are optionally replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(X), or —NR₁₅— group;

the [3.2.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-O—, —S—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃;

R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, CN, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₃ alkyl-OH, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenyloxy, —S(O₂)R′, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with an phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or

R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S;

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and

R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl (such as CF₃), haloalkoxy (such as OCF₃), hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula III or IIIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with oxo, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, or —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—.

In another aspect the invention provides compounds of Formula III or IIIa wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with —O—SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl).

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula III or IIIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; where

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂— phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂; and

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula III or IIIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, where R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 4 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula III or IIIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is hydrogen.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula III or IIIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula III or IIIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is not substituted.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula III or IIIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with aryl or heteroaryl, such as phenyl or pyridyl, both aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula III or IIIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₂-C₆ alkenyl.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula III or IIIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is hydroxyl or C₁-C₆ alkoxy.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula III, wherein, 1 of the carbons in the [3.2.1] ring system is optionally replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group, where R₁₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, or phenyl, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂, and where x is 0, 1 or 2.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIb, i.e., compounds of Formula III having the following formula:

wherein

R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, CN, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-OH, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenoxy, —S(O₂)R′, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or

R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S;

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₅ is H, phenyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, oxazolyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, indolyl, —SO₂R′, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the cyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl (such as CF₃), C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy (such as OCF₃), amino, NH(C₁-C₄ alkyl), N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)(C₁-C₄ alkyl), CN or NO₂; and

R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIb, wherein R₁₅ is hydrogen.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIb, wherein R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIb, wherein R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIb, wherein R₁₅ is phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula III or IIIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with oxo, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, or —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIc, i.e., compounds of Formula III having the following formula:

wherein

R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, CN, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C₁-C₃alkyl-OH, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenoxy, —S(O₂)R′, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or

R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S;

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and

R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁,

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIId, i.e., compounds of Formula III having the following formula:

wherein

R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, ON, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-OH, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenoxy, —S(O₂)R′, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or

R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S;

R₁₂ is C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and

R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein, R₃ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, or CN;

R₄ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, furanyl, thienyl, or phenyl; and

R₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —SO₂—NR₁₀R₁₁, or halogen.

In still other aspects, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein, R₄ is hydrogen, halogen (in one aspect, I, Br, F or Cl), C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with halogen or hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, OCF₃, or CN.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₄ is phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, furanyl, thienyl, or phenyl.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₄ is —NR₁₀R₁₁.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₄ is —NR₁₀R₁₁, and R₃, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are H.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are independently hydrogen, halo, CF₃, CHF₂ or methyl.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₃, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, where R₄ is halogen, such as chloro.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₄ is chloro, and R₃, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are H.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formulas IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or wherein at least one of R₃, R₄, or R₅ is chloro, and R₆ and R₇ are H.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₃ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, CF₃, or CN;

R₄ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₄ alkanoyl, and

R₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁ or halogen.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or Hid, wherein R₄ is halogen (in one aspect, F or Cl), C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, or CN.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are independently hydrogen, F, CF₃, CHF₂ or methyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₄, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₄ is halogen, such as chloro.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₃ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, CF₃, or CN;

R₄ is oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, furanyl, thienyl, or phenyl; and

R₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, —SO₂ NR₁₀R₁₁, or halogen.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₄ is halogen (in one aspect, F or Cl), CH₃, OCH₃, CF₃, or OCF₃.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₃ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₂ alkyl, C₁-C₂ alkoxy, CF₃, or CN;

R₄ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₂ alkyl, C₁-C₂ alkoxy, C₁-C₂ haloalkyl, C₁-C₂ haloalkoxy, CN, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₂-C₃ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, furanyl, or thienyl;

R₅ is hydrogen, CH₃, or F; and

R₆ and R₇ are independently hydrogen or halogen.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIId, wherein R₄ is CF₃, or OCF₃.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with optionally substituted with 1 or 2 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₁-C₃ haloalkyl, C₁-C₃ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a pyridyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl ring, each of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms (such as F).

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₆ and R₇ are independently hydrogen or methyl.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, or IIId, wherein R₃ and R₅ are independently hydrogen, halo, or methyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV, i.e., compounds of Formula II, wherein the A-ring is C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, which is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, phenyl, aralkyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV wherein

0 or 1 of the carbons in the [3.2.1] ring system is optionally replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x), or —NR₁₅— group; where R₁₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, or phenyl, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂, where x is 0, 1 or 2 and

where the [3.2.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IVa, i.e. compounds of Formula IV having the formula:

wherein no carbons in the ring system are replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group, and

where the [3.2.1] ring is optionally substituted 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa, where the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with oxo, —O(C₁-C₂alkyl)O—, or —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—.

In another aspect the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with —O—SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl).

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa, where the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; where

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂— phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂; and

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa, where the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, where R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 4 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa, where the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is hydrogen.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa, where the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa, where the [3.2.1] ring is not substituted.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with aryl or heteroaryl, such as phenyl or pyridyl, both aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa, where the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₂-C₆ alkenyl.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa, where the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa, where the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is phenyl.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa, where the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is oxo.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa, where the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is arylalkyl; more preferably, aryl(C₁-C₄)alkyl; still more preferably, phenyl(C₁-C₄)alkyl; yet still more preferably, benzyl.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa, where the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is hydroxyl or C₁-C₆ alkoxy.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IVa1, i.e. compounds of Formula IV wherein,

one carbon of the [3.2.1] ring system is replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group, where x is 0, 1 or 2;

the [3.2.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; and

R₁₅ is H, phenyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, oxazolyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, indolyl, —SO₂R′, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the above cyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl (such as CF₃), C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy (such as OCF₃), CN, amino, NH(C₁-C₆ alkyl), N(C₁-C₆ alkyl) (C₁-C₆ alkyl), or NO₂.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IVb, i.e., compounds of Formula IV having the following formula:

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IVb, wherein R₁₅ is hydrogen.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IVb, wherein R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IVb, wherein R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl (such as CF₃), C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy (such as OCF₃), CN or NO₂.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IVb, wherein R₁₅ is phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl (such as CF₃), C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy (such as OCF₃), CN or NO₂.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IVb, wherein R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl substituted with hydroxyl or halogen.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IVc, i.e., compounds of Formula IV having the following formula:

where the [3.2.1] ring is optionally substituted 1, 2, or 3 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IVd, i.e., compounds of Formula IV having the following formula:

where the [3.2.1] ring is optionally substituted 1, 2, or 3 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV, IVa, IVb, IVc, or IVd, wherein the C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group is cyclopropyl.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV, IVa, IVb, IVc, or IVd, wherein the C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group is cyclobutyl.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV, IVa, IVb, IVc, or IVd, wherein the C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group is cyclopentyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV, IVa, IVb, IVc, or IVd, wherein the C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group is cyclohexyl.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV, IVa, IVb, IVc, or IVd, wherein the C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group is cycloheptyl.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV, IVa, IVb, IVc, or IVd, wherein the C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group is cyclooctyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V, i.e. compounds of Formula II, wherein the A-ring is heteroaryl that is pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, or imidazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆-alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Va, i.e. compounds of Formula V having the following formula:

wherein:

the A-ring is heteroaryl that is pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, or imidazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁;

zero of the carbons in the [3.2.1] ring system is replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group; and

the [3.2.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V or Va, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with oxo, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, or —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—.

In another aspect the invention provides compounds of Formula V or Va wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with —O—SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl).

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V or Va, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; where

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂— phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂; and

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, O₁—C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V or Va, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, where R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 4 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V or Va, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is hydrogen.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V or Va, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V or Va, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is not substituted.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V or Va, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with aryl or heteroaryl, such as phenyl or pyridyl, both aryl and heteroaryl optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V or Va, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₂-C₆ alkenyl.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa, where the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is phenyl.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IV or IVa, where the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is arylalkyl; more preferably, aryl(C₁-C₄)alkyl; still more preferably, phenyl(C₁-C₄)alkyl; yet still more preferably, benzyl.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V or Va, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is hydroxyl or C₁-C₆ alkoxy.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V, wherein

one carbon of the [3.2.1] ring system is replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group;

x is 0, 1 or 2;

the [3.2.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; and

R₁₅ is hydrogen, phenyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, oxazolyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, indolyl, —SO₂R′, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl, heteroaryl, or heterocycloalkyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Vb, i.e., compounds of Formula V having the following formula:

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Vb wherein R₁₅ is hydrogen.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Vb, wherein R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Vb, wherein R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Vb, wherein R₁₅ is phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Vc, i.e., compounds of Formula V having the following formula:

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Vd, i.e., compounds of Formula V having the following formula:

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V, Va, Vb, Vc or Vd, wherein the heteroaryl group is pyridyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects pyridyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V, Va, Vb, Vc or Vd, wherein the heteroaryl group is pyrimidyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects pyrimidyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V, Va, Vb, Vc or Vd, wherein the heteroaryl group is pyridazinyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects pyridazinyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V, Va, Vb, Vc or Vd, wherein the heteroaryl group is pyrazinyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects pyazinyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V, Va, Vb, Vc or Vd, wherein the heteroaryl group is thienyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects thienyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V, Va, Vb, Vc or Vd, wherein the heteroaryl group is furanyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects furanyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V, Va, Vb, Vc or Vd, wherein the heteroaryl group is pyrrolyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects pyrrolyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V, Va, Vb, Vc or Vd, wherein the heteroaryl group is pyrazolyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects pyrazotyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula V, Va, Vb, Vc or Vd, wherein the heteroaryl group is imidazolyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects imidazolyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI, i.e., compounds of Formula II, wherein the A-ring is heterocycloalkyl that is pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, or thiomorpholinyl-S,S-dioxide, where each of the above rings is optionally substituted at a substitutable position halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIa, i.e. compounds of Formula VI having the formula:

wherein zero of the carbons in the [3.2.1] ring system is replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group, and wherein the [3.2.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR′, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃,

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI or VIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with oxo, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, or —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—.

In another aspect the invention provides compounds of Formula VI or VIa wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with —O—SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl).

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI or VIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; where

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂— phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂; and

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI or VIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, where R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 4 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI or VIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is hydrogen.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI or VIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI or VIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is not substituted.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI or VIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with aryl or heteroaryl, such as phenyl or pyridyl, both aryl and heteroaryl optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, 1-C₄ haloalkyl, 1-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI or VIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₂-C₆ alkenyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI or VIa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is hydroxyl or C₁-C₆ alkoxy.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI or VIa, wherein one carbon of the [3.2.1] ring system is replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group; wherein,

x is 0, 1 or 2

the [3.2.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃, and

R₁₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, or phenyl, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIb, i.e., compounds of Formula VI having the following formula:

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIb, where R₁₅ is hydrogen.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIb, where R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIb, where R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIb, where R₁₅ is phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂. In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIc, i.e., compounds of Formula VI having the following formula:

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VId, i.e., compounds of Formula VI having the following formula:

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI, VIa, VIb, VIc or VId, where the heterocycloalkyl group is pyrrolidinyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁ where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI, VIa, VIb, VIc or VId, where the heterocycloalkyl group is piperidinyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁ where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI, VIa, VIb, VIc or VId, where the heterocycloalkyl group is piperazinyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁ where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI, VIa, VIb, VIc or VId, where the heterocycloalkyl group is morpholinyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁ where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI, VIa, VIb, VIc or VId, where the heterocycloalkyl group is thiomorpholinyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁ where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VI, VIa, VIb, VIc or VId, where the heterocycloalkyl group is thiomorpholinyl-S,S-dioxide, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁ where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IVb, IVc, IVd, Vb, Vc, Vd, VIb, VIc, or VId, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with oxo, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, or —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IVb, IVc, IVd, Vb, Vc, Vd, VIb, VIc, or VId, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with —O—SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl).

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IVb, IVc, IVd, Vb, Vc, Vd, VIb, VIc, or VId, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; where

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂— phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂; and

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IVb, IVc, IVd, Vb, Vc, Vd, VIb, VIc, or VId, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, where R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 4 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IVb, IVc, IVd, Vb, Vc, Vd, VIb, VIc, or VId, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is hydrogen.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IVb, IVc, IVd, Vb, Vc, Vd, VIb, VIc, or VId, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IVb, IVc, IVd, Vb, Vc, Vd, VIb, VIc, or VId, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is not substituted.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IVb, IVc, IVd, Vb, Vc, Vd, VIb, VIc, or VId, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with aryl or heteroaryl, such as phenyl or pyridyl, both aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IVb, IVc, IVd, Vb, Vc, Vd, VIb, VIc, or VId, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₂-C₆ alkenyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IVb, IVc, IVd, Vb, Vc, Vd, VIb, VIc, or VId, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IVb, IVc, IVd, Vb, Vc, Vd, VIb, VIc, or VId, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is phenyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IVb, IVc, IVd, Vb, Vc, Vd, VIb, VIc, or VId, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is oxo.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IVb, IVc, IVd, Vb, Vc, Vd, VIb, VIc, or VId, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is arylalkyl; more preferably, aryl(C₁-C₄)alkyl; still more preferably, phenyl(C₁-C₄)alkyl; yet still more preferably, benzyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IVb, IVc, IVd, Vb, Vc, Vd, VIb, VIc, or VId, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is hydroxyl or C₁-C₆ alkoxy.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VII, i.e., compounds of Formula I, having the following formula:

0 or 1 of the carbons in the [3.3.1] ring system is optionally replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group

x is 0, 1 or 2;

the [3.3.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃;

R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or

R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S;

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

-   R₁₃ is H or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl (such as     phenyl or naphthyl, more preferably, phenyl), hydroxyl, or halogen,     where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are     independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl,     haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂ -   R′ and R″ are independently of each other hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl,     haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to     5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′,     C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl (such as CF₃), haloalkoxy (such as OCF₃),     hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆     alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁; and

R₁₅ is H, phenyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, —SO₂R′, —C(O)R′. —C(O)OR′, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the above cyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl (such as CF₃ or CH₂CF₃), C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy (such as OCF₃ or OCH₂CF₃), CN, amino, NH(C₁-C₆ alkyl), N(C₁-C₆ alkyl) (C₁-C₆ alkyl) or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIII, i.e. compounds VII where the A-ring is phenyl or naphthyl (preferably phenyl), which is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, pyridyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, phenyl, phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIII, where

0 or 1 of the carbons in the ring system is optionally replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group, and

the [3.3.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, i.e., compounds of Formula VIII having the following formula:

wherein,

the [3.3.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃;

R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, CN, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-OH, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenoxy, —SO₂R′, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or

R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S;

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and

R′ and R″ are independently of each other hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl (such as CF₃), haloalkoxy (such as OCF₃), hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIII or VIIIa, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with oxo, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, or —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl).

In another aspect the invention provides compounds of Formula VIII or VIIIa wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with —O—SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl).

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIII or VIIIa, wherein, the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; where

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂— phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂; and

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIII or VIIIa, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, where R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂— phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 4 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIII or VIIIa, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is hydrogen.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIII or VIIIa, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIII or VIIIa, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is not substituted.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIII or VIIIa, wherein, the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with aryl or heteroaryl, such as phenyl or pyridyl, both of which are optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIII or VIIIa, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₂-C₆ alkenyl.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIII or VIIIa, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is hydroxyl or C₁-C₆ alkoxy.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIII or VIIIa, wherein, one carbon of the [3.3.1] ring system is replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x), or —NR₁₅— group

x is 0, 1 or 2;

the [3.3.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; and

R₁₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, or phenyl, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIb, i.e., compounds of Formula VIII, having the following formula:

wherein

the [3.3.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″—OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃;

R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, CN, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-OH, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenoxy, —SO₂R′, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or

R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S;

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₅ is hydrogen, phenyl, heteroaryl, —SO₂R′, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and

R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIb, wherein R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIb, wherein R₁₅ is phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIc, i.e., compounds of Formula VIII, having the following formula:

wherein

the [3.3.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃;

R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, CN, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-OH, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenoxy, —SO₂R′, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or

R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S;

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and

R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIId, i.e., compounds of Formula VIII, having the following formula:

wherein

the [3.3.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃;

R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, CN, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-OH, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenoxy, —SO₂R′, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or

R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or

R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S;

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂;

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and

R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein, R₃ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, or CN;

R₄ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, furanyl, thienyl, or phenyl; and

R₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —SO₂—NR₁₀R₁₁, or halogen.

In still other aspects, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein, R₄ is hydrogen, halogen (in one aspect, I, Br, F or Cl), C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with halogen or hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, OCF₃, or CN.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₄ is phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, furanyl, thienyl, or phenyl.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₄ is —NR₁₀R₁₁.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₄ is —NR₁₀R₁₁, and R₃, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are H.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are independently hydrogen, halo, CF₃, CHF₂ or methyl.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₃, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, where R₄ is halogen, such as chloro.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₄ is chloro, and R₃, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are H.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formulas VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein at least one of R₃, R₄, or R₅ is chloro, and R₆ and R₇ are H.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₃ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, CF₃, or CN;

R₄ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₄ alkanoyl, and

R₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁ or halogen.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₄ is halogen (in one aspect, F or Cl), C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, or CN.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are independently hydrogen, F, CF₃, CHF₂ or methyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₄, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₄ is halogen, such as chloro.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₃ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, CF₃, or CN;

R₄ is oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, furanyl, thienyl, or phenyl; and

R₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, —SO₂ NR₁₀R₁₁, or halogen.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₄ is halogen (in one aspect, F or Cl), CH₃, OCH₃, CF₃, or OCF₃.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₃ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₂ alkyl, C₁-C₂ alkoxy, CF₃, or CN;

R₄ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₂ alkyl, C₁-C₂ alkoxy, C₁-C₂ haloalkyl, C₁-C₂ haloalkoxy, CN, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₂-C₃ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, furanyl, or thienyl;

R₅ is hydrogen, CH₃, or F; and

R₆ and R₇ are independently hydrogen or halogen.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIM, wherein R₄ is CF₃, or OCF₃.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with optionally substituted with 1 or 2 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₁-C₃ haloalkyl, C₁-C₃ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIIc, or VIIId, wherein R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a pyridyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl ring, each of which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms (such as F).

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIb, wherein R₆ and R₇ are independently hydrogen or methyl.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula VIIIb, wherein R₃ and R₅ are independently hydrogen, halo, or methyl.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IX, i.e., compounds of Formula VII, where the A-ring is C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, which is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IXa, i.e., compounds of Formula XIV having the formula:

where zero of the carbons in the ring system is replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group, and where the [3.3.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR′, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IX or IXa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with oxo, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, or —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—.

In another aspect the invention provides compounds of Formula IX or IXa wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with —O—SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl).

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IX or IXa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; where

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂— phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂; and

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IX or IXa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, where R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂— phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 4 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IX or IXa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—O—R₁₃, where R₁₃ is hydrogen.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IX or IXa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IX or IXa, where the [3.3.1] ring is not substituted.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IX or IXa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with aryl or heteroaryl, such as phenyl or pyridyl, both aryl and heteroaryl optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IX or IXa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₂-C₆ alkenyl.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IX or IXa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IX or IXa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is phenyl.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IX or IXa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is arylalkyl. More preferably, aryl(C₁-C₄)alkyl. Still more preferably, phenyl(C₁-C₄)alkyl. Yet still more preferably, benzyl.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IX or IXa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is hydroxyl or C₁-C₆ alkoxy.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IXb, i.e., compounds of Formula IX, where one carbon of the [3.3.1] ring system is replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group; wherein

x is 0, 1 or 2

the [3.3.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂ or ═N—O—R₁₃; and

R₁₅ is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, —SO₂R′, —C(O)OR′, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl, heteroaryl, or heterocycloalkyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl-, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides a compound of Formula IXb, i.e., compounds of Formula IX having the following formula:

where R₁₅ is H, phenyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, —SO₂R′, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the above cyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl (such as CF₃), C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy (such as OCF₃), CN, amino, NH(C₁-C₆ alkyl), N(C₁-C₆ alkyl) (C₁-C₆ alkyl), or NO₂.

In stilt yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IXb, where R₁₅ is hydrogen.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IXb, where R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IXb, where R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula IXb, where R₁₅ is phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides a compound of Formula IXc, i.e., compounds of Formula IX having the following formula:

where the [33.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In another aspect, the invention provides a compound of Formula IXd, i.e., compounds of Formula IX having the following formula:

where the [3.3.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formula IX, IXa, IXb, IXc or IXd, where the C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group is cyclopropyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formula IX, IXa, IXb, IXc or IXd, where the C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group is cyclobutyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formula IX, IXa, IXb, IXc or IXd, where the C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group is cyclopentyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formula IX, IXa, IXb, IXc or IXd, where the C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group is cyclohexyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formula IX, IXa, IXb, IXc or IXd, where the C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group is cycloheptyl.

En another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formula IX, IXa or IXb, where the C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group is cyclooctyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X, i.e., compounds of Formula VII, where the A-ring is heteroaryl that is pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, or imidazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are halogen, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Xa, i.e., compounds of Formula X having the formula:

where zero of the carbons in the [3.3.1] ring system is replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group; and where the [3.3.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X or Xa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with oxo, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, or —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—.

In another aspect the invention provides compounds of Formula X or Xa wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with —O—SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl).

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X or Xa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; where

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂; and

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X or Xa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, where R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂— phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 4 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X or Xa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is hydrogen.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X or Xa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X or Xa, where the [3.3.1] ring is not substituted.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X or Xa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with aryl or heteroaryl, such as phenyl or pyridyl, both aryl and heteroaryl optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X or Xa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₂-C₆ alkenyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X or Xa, where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is hydroxyl or C1-C6 alkoxy.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Xb, i.e., compounds of Formula X wherein,

one carbon of the.3.1] ring system is replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(X), or —NR₁₆— group x is 0, 1 or 2;

the [3.3.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; and

R₁₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, or phenyl, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Xb, i.e., compounds of Formula X having the following formula:

where the [3.3.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Xb where R₁₅ is hydrogen.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Xb where R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Xb where R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Xb where R₁₅ is phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Xc, i.e., compounds of Formula X having the following formula:

where the [3.3.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula Xd, i.e., compounds of Formula X having the following formula:

where the [3.3.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X, Xa, Xb, Xc or Xd, where the heteroaryl group is pyridyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects pyridyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X, Xa, Xb, Xc or Xd, where the heteroaryl group is pyrimidyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects pyrimidyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X, Xa, Xb, Xc or Xd, where the heteroaryl group is pyridazinyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects pyridazinyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In yet still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X, Xa, Xb, Xc or Xd, where the heteroaryl group is pyrazinyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects pyrazinyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X, Xa, Xb, Xc or Xd, where the heteroaryl group is thienyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects thienyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X, Xa, Xb, Xc or Xd, where the heteroaryl group is furanyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects furanyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X, Xa, Xb, Xc or Xd, where the heteroaryl group is pyrrolyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects pyrrolyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X, Xa, Xb, Xc or Xd, where the heteroaryl group is pyrazolyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects pyrazolyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula X, Xa Xb, Xc or Xd, where the heteroaryl group is imidazolyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl. In some aspects imidazolyl is substituted with halogen, for example chloro.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI, i.e., compounds of Formula VII where the A-ring is heterocycloalkyl that is pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, or thiomorpholinyl-S,S-dioxide, where each of the above rings is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XIa, i.e. compounded of Formula XI, having the formula:

wherein, zero of the carbons in the [3.3.1] ring system is replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group; and

the [3.3.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI or XIa where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with oxo, —O—(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-O—, —S—(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-S—.

In another aspect the invention provides compounds of Formula XI or XIa wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with —O—SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl).

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI or XIa, wherein,

the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃;

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂— phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂; and

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI or XIa where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, where R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂— phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 4 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI or XIa where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is hydrogen.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI or XIa where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI or XIa where the [3.3.1] ring is not substituted.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI or Xa, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with aryl or heteroaryl, such as phenyl or pyridyl, both aryl and heteroaryl optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI or XIa where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₂-C₆ alkenyl.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI or XIa where the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is hydroxyl or C₁-C₆ alkoxy.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI where one carbon of the [3.3.1] ring system is replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group;

x is 0, 1 or 2

the [3.3.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; and

R₁₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, or phenyl, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XIb, i.e., compounds of Formula XI having the following formula:

where the [3.3.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XIb, where R₁₅ is hydrogen.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XIb, where R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XIb, where R₁₅ is C₁-C₆ alkyl substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XIb, where R₁₅ is phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XIc, i.e., compounds of Formula XI having the following formula:

where the [3.3.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XId, i.e., compounds of Formula XI having the following formula:

where the [3.3.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI, XIa or XIb, where the heterocycloalkyl group is pyrrolidinyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁″, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI, XIa, XIb, XIc or XId, where the heterocycloalkyl group is piperidinyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI, XIa, XIb, XIc or XId, where the heterocycloalkyl group is piperazinyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁″, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI, XIa, XIb, XIc or XId where the heterocycloalkyl group is morpholinyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In still another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI, XIa, XIb, XIc or XId, where the heterocycloalkyl group is thiomorpholinyl, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula XI, XIa, XIb, XIc or XId, where the heterocycloalkyl group is thiomorpholinyl-S,S-dioxide, which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxyl, CN, phenyloxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁, where each R₁₀ and R₁₁ is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas VIIIb, VIIIc, VIIId, IXb, IXc, IXd, Xb, Xc, Xd, XIb, XIc, or XId, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with oxo, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, or —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas VIIIb, VIIIc, VIIId, IXb, IXc, IXd, Xb, Xc, Xd, XIb, XIc, or XId, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with —O—SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl).

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas VIIIb, VIIIc, VIIId, IXb, IXc, IXd, Xb, Xc, Xd, XIb, XIc, or XId, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; where

R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂— phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂; and

R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas VIIIb, VIIIc, VIIId, IXb, IXc, IXd, Xb, Xc, Xd, XIb, XIc, or XId, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, where R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or ═SO₂-phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 4 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas VIIIb, VIIIc, VIIId, IXb, IXc, IXd, Xb, Xc, Xd, XIb, XIc, or XId, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is hydrogen.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas VIIIb, VIIIc, VIIId, IXb, IXc, IXd, Xb, Xc, Xd, XIb, XIc, or XId, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₃ is C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas VIIIb, VIIIc, VIIId, IXb, IXc, IXd, Xb, Xc, Xd, XIb, XIc, or XId, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is not substituted.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas VIIIb, VIIIc, VIIId, IXb, IXc, IXd, Xb, Xc, Xd, XIb, XIc, or XId, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with aryl or heteroaryl, such as phenyl or pyridyl, both aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas VIIIb, VIIIc, VIIId, IXb, IXc, IXd, Xb, Xc, Xd, XIb, XIc, or XId, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₂-C₆ alkenyl (or C₂-C₄ alkenyl, or C₂ alkenyl).

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas VIIIb, VIIIc, VIIId, IXb, IXc, IXd, Xb, Xc, Xd, XIb, XIc, or XId, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas VIIIb, VIIIc, VIIId, IXb, IXc, IXd, Xb, Xc, Xd, XIb, XIc, or XId, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is phenyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas VIIIb, VIIIc, VIIId, IXb, IXc, IXd, Xb, Xc, Xd, XIb, XIc, or XId, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is oxo.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas VIIIb, VIIIc, VIIId, IXb, IXc, IXd, Xb, Xc, Xd, XIb, XIc, or XId, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is arylalkyl; more preferably, aryl(C₁-C₄)alkyl; still more preferably, phenyl(C₁-C₄)alkyl; yet still more preferably, benzyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds according to any one of Formulas VIIIb, VIIIc, VIIId, IXb, IXc, IXd, Xb, Xc, Xd, XIb, XIc, or XId, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is hydroxyl or C₁-C₆ alkoxy.

In another aspect, the invention provides the compounds of Formula I selected from:

-   9-(5-chlorothiophen-2-ylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one; -   9-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one; -   9-(5-bromothiophen-2-ylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   9-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   9-(4-bromo-3-fluorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   9-(3-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   9-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   9-(3,5-dichtorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   9-(4-fluorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   9-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   9-(4-iodophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one; -   8-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane; -   8-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane; -   8-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one; -   8-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one; -   8-(4-iodophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one; -   9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-ol; -   9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one oxime; -   8-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-methylene-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane; -   8-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)-3-methylene-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane; -   9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-methylene-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-2-(hydroxymethylene)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one; -   diethyl     9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-oxo-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4-dicarboxylate; -   ethyl     9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-oxo-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2-carboxylate; -   2-bromo-9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one; -   2-amino-9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one; -   9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-phenyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4-dione; -   9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-phenyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-phenyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-2-one; -   8-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl-]-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ol; -   9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4-dione; -   (2R)-2-{9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-yl}propan-1-01;     9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   (2S)-2-{9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-yl}propan-1-ol; -   9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3-carboxamide; -   3-acetyl-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   9-(4-chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-3-pyridin-2-yl-9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]-nonane; -   9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-2-one; -   9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-oxa-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-thia-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; -   Methanesulfonic acid     9-(4-chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-yl ester; -   9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-ol; -   [9-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-yl]-methyl-carbamic     acid tert-butyl ester

9-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-2-(1H-pyrrol-2-ylmethylene)-9-aza-bicyclo [3.3.1]nonan-3-one

9-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-3-oxo-9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester

N-tosyl-[9-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-ylidene]-hydrazine

2-Aminomethylene-9-(4-chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one

including steroisomers, mixtures of stereoisomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In still another aspect, the invention provides a composition comprising a compound or salt of claim 1 and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, adjuvant, excipient, carrier, binder or disintegrant.

In still another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating Alzheimer's disease comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or salt of Formula Ito a patient in need of such treatment.

In another aspect, the compounds of the invention have minimal interaction or preferably, no interaction with Notch.

DEFINITIONS

The definitions and explanations below are for the terms as used throughout this entire document including both the specification and the claims. Throughout the specification and the appended claims, a given formula or name shall encompass all isomers thereof, such as stereoisomers, geometrical isomers, optical isomers, tautomers, and mixtures thereof where such isomers exist, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, such as for instance hydrates.

It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a composition containing “a compound” includes a mixture of two or more compounds. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

Where multiple substituents are indicated as being attached to a formula, it is to be understood that the substituents can be the same or different. Thus for example “R_(m) optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 R_(q) groups” indicates that R_(m) is substituted with 1, 2, or 3 R_(q) groups where the R_(q) groups can be the same or different. It will be understood by those skilled in the art with respect to any group containing one or more substituents that such groups are not intended to introduce any substitution or substitution patterns that are sterically impractical and/or synthetically non-feasable.

APP, amyloid precursor protein, is defined as any APP polypeptide, including APP variants, mutations, and isoforms, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,846.

A beta, amyloid beta peptide, is defined as any peptide resulting from beta-secretase mediated cleavage of APP, including peptides of 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43 amino acids, and extending from the beta-secretase cleavage site to amino acids 39, 40, 41, 42, or 43.

Pharmaceutically acceptable refers to those properties and/or substances that are acceptable to the patient from a toxicological and/or safety point of view.

A therapeutically effective amount is defined as an amount effective to reduce or lessen at least one symptom of the disease being treated or to reduce or delay onset of one or more clinical markers or symptoms of the disease.

By “alkanoyl” is meant an acyl radical Alk-C(O)—, wherein Alk is an alkyl readical as defined herein. Examples of alkanoyl groups include acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, valeryl, isovaleryl, 2-methyl-butyryl, 2,2-dimethylpropionyl, valeryl, hexanoyl, heptanoyl, octanoyl and the like.

By “alkyl” and “C₁-C₆ alkyl” in the present invention is meant straight or branched chain alkyl groups having 1-6 carbon atoms, such as, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, 2-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, 2-hexyl, 3-hexyl, and 3-methylpentyl. It is understood that in cases where an alkyl chain of a substituent (e.g. of an alkyl, alkoxy or alkenyl group) is shorter or longer than 6 carbons, it will be so indicated in the second “C” as, for example, “C₁-C₁₀” indicates a maximum of 10 carbons. The term also includes substituted alkyl groups, and refers to an alkenyl group in which 1 or more hydrogen atoms is replaced by a substituent independently selected from the group: acyl, acyloxy, alkoxy, amino (wherein the amino group may be a cyclic amine), aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, carboxyl, oxo, amido, cyano, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, halogen, hydroxyl, nitro, sulfamoyl, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, and sulfonic acid.

By “alkoxy” and “C₁-C₆ alkoxy” in the present invention is meant straight or branched chain alkyl groups having 1-6 carbon atoms, attached through at least one divalent oxygen atom, such as, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentoxy, isopentoxy, neopentoxy, hexoxy, and 3-methylpentoxy.

By “alkenyl” and “C₂-C₆ alkenyl” is meant straight and branched hydrocarbon radicals having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and from one to three double bonds and includes, for example, ethenyl, propenyl, 1-but-3-enyl, 1-pent-3-enyl, 1-hex-5-enyl and the like. The term also includes substituted alkenyl groups, and refers to an alkenyl group in which 1 or more hydrogen atoms is replaced by a substituent independently selected from the group: acyl, acyloxy, alkoxy, amino (wherein the amino group may be a cyclic amine), aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, carboxyl, oxo, amido, cyano, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, halogen, hydroxyl, nitro, sulfamoyl, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, and sulfonic acid, for example 1H-pyrrol-2-ylmethylene.

By “alkylene” is meant a diradical alkyl group, whereby alkyl is as defined above. By “alkynyl” and “C₂-C₆ alkynyl” is meant straight and branched hydrocarbon radicals having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and one or two triple bonds and includes ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentyn-2-yl and the like. The term also includes substituted alkynyl groups, and refers to an alkynyl group in which 1 or more hydrogen atoms is replaced by a substituent independently selected from the group: acyl, acyloxy, alkoxy, amino (wherein the amino group may be a cyclic amine), aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, carboxyl, oxo, amido, cyano, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, halogen, hydroxyl, nitro, sulfamoyl, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, and sulfonic acid.

By “arylalkyl” is meant the group -alkylene-aryl, wherein alkylene and aryl are defined herein.

By “aryl” is meant an aromatic carbocyclic group having a single ring (e.g., phenyl) or multiple condensed rings in which at least one is aromatic, (e.g., 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl, naphthyl), which is optionally mono-, di-, or trisubstituted. Preferred aryl groups of the present invention are phenyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, indanyl, indenyl, dihydronaphthyl, fluorenyl, tetralinyl or 6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzo[a]cycloheptenyl. The aryl groups herein are unsubstituted or substituted in one or more substitutable positions with various groups. For example, such aryl groups may be optionally substituted with, for example, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, amino, mono(C₁-C₆)alkylamino, di(C₁-C₆)alkylamino, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, amino(C₁-C₆)alkyl, mono(C₁-C₆)alkylamino(C₁-C₆)alkyl, di(C₁-C₆)alkylamino(C₁-C₆)alkyl or phenyl.

By “phenoxy” is meant the group —O-aryl.

By “oxo” is meant the group ═O.

By “cycloalkyl” refers to saturated carbocyclic radicals having three to twelve carbon atoms. The cycloalkyl can be monocyclic, a polycyclic fused system, or a bi or polycyclic bridged system, such as adamantyl or bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl. Examples of such radicals include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. Preferred cycloalkyl groups are cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and cycloheptyl. The cycloalkyl groups herein are unsubstituted or, substituted in one or more substitutable positions with various groups. For example, such cycloalkyl groups may be optionally substituted with, for example, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, amino, mono(C₁-C₆)alkylamino, di(C₁-C₆)alkylamino, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, amino(C₁-C₆)alkyl, mono(C₁-C₆)alkylamino(C₁-C₆)alkyl or di(C₁-C₆)alkylamino(C₁-C₆)alkyl.

By “halogen” or “halo” is meant fluorine, bromine, chlorine, and/or iodine.

By “haloalkyl” is meant an alkyl radical having the meaning as defined above wherein one or more hydrogens are replaced by a halogen. Examples of such haloalkyls include chloromethyl, 1-bromoethyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 1,1,1-trifluoroethyl and the like.

By “heteroaryl” is mean at least one or more aromatic ring systems of 5-, 6-, or 7-membered rings which includes fused ring systems of 9-11 atoms containing at least one and up to four heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. Preferred heteroaryl groups of the present invention include pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, quinolinyl, benzothienyl, indolyl, indolinyl, pryidazinyl, pyrazinyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, phthalazinyl, imidazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, indolizinyl, indazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, isothiazolyl, naphthyridinyl, isochromanyl, chromanyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, isoindolinyl, isobenzotetrahydrofuranyl, isobenzotetrahydrothienyl, isobenzothienyl, benzoxazolyl, pyridopyridinyl, benzotetrahydrofuranyl, benzotetrahydrothienyl, purinyl, benzodioxolyl, triazinyl, pteridinyl, benzothiazolyl, imidazopyridinyl, imidazothiazolyl, dihydrobenzisoxazinyl, benzisoxazinyl, benzoxazinyl, dihydrobenzisothiazinyl, benzopyranyl, benzothiopyranyl, chromonyl, chromanonyl, pyridinyl-N-oxide, tetrahydroquinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl, dihydroquinolinonyl, dihydroisoquinolinonyl, dihydrocoumarinyl, dihydroisocoumarinyl, isoindolinonyl, benzodioxanyl, benzoxazolinonyl, pyrrolyl N-oxide, pyrimidinyl N-oxide, pyridazinyl N-oxide, pyrazinyl N-oxide, quinolinyl N-oxide, indolyl N-oxide, indolinyl N-oxide, isoquinolyl N-oxide, quinazolinyl N-oxide, quinoxalinyl N-oxide, phthalazinyl N-oxide, imidazolyl N-oxide, isoxazolyl N-oxide, oxazolyl N-oxide, thiazolyl N-oxide, indolizinyl N-oxide, indazolyl N-oxide, benzothiazolyl N-oxide, benzimidazolyl N-oxide, pyrrolyl N-oxide, oxadiazolyl N-oxide, thiadiazolyl N-oxide, triazolyl N-oxide, tetrazolyl N-oxide, benzothiopyranyl S-oxide, benzothiopyranyl S,S-dioxide. The heteroaryl groups herein are unsubstituted or substituted in one or more substitutable positions with various groups. For example, such heteroaryl groups may be optionally substituted with, for example, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, amino, mono(C₁-C₆)alkylamino, di(C₁-C₆)alkylamino, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, amino(C₁-C₆)alkyl, mono(C₁-C₆)alkylamino(C₁-C₆)alkyl or di(C₁-C₆)alkylamino(C₁-C₆)alkyl.

By “heterocycle”, “heterocycloalkyl” or “heterocyclyl” is meant one or more carbocyclic ring systems of 4-, 5-, 6-, or 7-membered rings which includes fused ring systems of 9-11 atoms containing at least one and up to four heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. Preferred heterocycles of the present invention include morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl S-oxide, thiomorpholinyl S,S-dioxide, piperazinyl, homopiperazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, piperidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothienyl, homopiperidinyl, homomorpholinyl, homothiomorpholinyl, homothiomorpholinyl S,S-dioxide, oxazolidinonyl, dihydropyrazolyl, dihydropyrrolyl, dihydropyrazolyl, dihydropyridinyl, dihydropyrimidinyl, dihydrofuryl, dihydropyranyl, tetrahydrothienyl S-oxide, tetrahydrothienyl S,S-dioxide and homothiomorpholinyl S-oxide. The heterocycle groups herein are unsubstituted or substituted in one or more substitutable positions with various groups. For example, such heterocycle groups may be optionally substituted with, for example, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, amino, mono(C₁-C₆)alkylamino, di(C₁-C₆)alkylamino, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, amino(C₁-C₆)alkyl, mono(C₁-C₆)alkylamino(C₁-C₆)alkyl, di(C₁-C₆)alkylamino(C₁-C₆)alkyl or oxo.

Most formulas were named using Autonom 2000 4.01.305, which is available from Beilstein Information Systems, Inc, Englewood, Colo. or ChemDraw v.10.0, are available from Cambridgesoft at 100 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, Mass. 02140 (www.cambridgesoft.com). Alternatively, the names were generated based on the IUPAC rules.

The compounds of this invention may contain one or more asymmetric carbon atoms, so that the compounds can exist in different stereoisomeric forms. These compounds can be, for example, racemates, chiral non-racemic or diastereomers. In these situations, the single enantiomers, i.e., optically active forms, can be obtained by asymmetric synthesis or by resolution of the racemates. Resolution of the racemates can be accomplished, for example, by conventional methods such as crystallization in the presence of a resolving agent; chromatography, using, for example a chiral HPLC column; or derivatizing the racemic mixture with a resolving reagent to generate diastereomers, separating the diastereomers via chromatography, and removing the resolving agent to generate the original compound in enantiomerically enriched form. Any of the above procedures can be repeated to increase the enantiomeric purity of a compound.

Non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to salts of inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, diphosphoric, hydrobromic, and nitric or salts of organic acids such as formic, citric, malic, maleic, fumaric, tartaric, succinic, acetic, lactic, methanesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, 2-hydroxyethylsulfonic, salicylic and stearic. Similarly, pharmaceutically, acceptable cations include, but are not limited to sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminum, lithium and ammonium. Those skilled in the art will recognize a wide variety of non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts. The invention also encompasses prodrugs of the compounds of Formula I.

The invention also encompasses the acylated prodrugs of the compounds of Formula I. Those skilled in the art will recognize various synthetic methodologies, which may be employed to prepare non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts and acylated prodrugs of the compounds encompassed by Formula I.

The term “acid prodrug group” denotes a moiety that is converted in vivo into an active carboxylic acid compound of formula I. Such prodrug groups are generally known in the art and include ester forming groups, to form an ester prodrug, such as benzyloxy, di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminoethyloxy, acetoxymethyl, pivaloyloxymethyl, phthalidoyl, ethoxycarbonyloxyethyl, 5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxol-4-yl methyl, and (C₁-C₆)alkoxy optionally substituted by N-morpholino and amide-forming groups such as di(C₁-C₆)alkylamino. Preferred prodrug groups include C₁-C₆ alkoxy forming an ester, and O⁻M⁺ where M⁺ represents a cation to form a salt of the acid. Preferred cations include sodium, potassium, and ammonium. Other cations include magnesium and calcium. Further preferred prodrug groups include O⁼M⁺⁺ where M⁺⁺ is a divalent cation such as magnesium or calcium.

When the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds or other centers of geometric asymmetry, and unless otherwise specified, it is intended that the compounds include the cis, trans, Z- and E- configurations. Likewise, all tautomeric forms are also intended to be included.

The invention also encompasses the prodrugs of the compounds of Formula I. Those skilled in the art will recognize various synthetic methodologies that may be employed to prepare non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable prodrugs of the compounds encompassed by Formula I. Those skilled in the art will recognize a wide variety of non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable solvates, such as water, ethanol, mineral oil, vegetable oil, and dimethylsulfoxide.

The compounds of general Formula I may be administered orally, topically, parenterally, by inhalation or spray or rectally in dosage unit formulations containing conventional non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants and vehicles. The term parenteral as used herein includes percutaneous, subcutaneous, intravascular (e.g., intravenous), intramuscular, or intrathecal injection or infusion techniques and the like. In addition, there is provided a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound of general Formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. One or more compounds of general Formula I may be present in association with one or more non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents and/or adjuvants, and if desired other active ingredients. The pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of general Formula I may be in a form suitable for oral use, for example, as tablets, troches, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, dispersible powders or granules, emulsion, hard or soft capsules, or syrups or elixirs.

Compositions intended for oral use may be prepared according to any method known to the art for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions and such compositions may contain one or more agents selected from the group consisting of sweetening agents, flavoring agents, coloring agents and preservative agents in order to provide pharmaceutically elegant and palatable preparations. Tablets contain the active ingredient in admixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients that are suitable for the manufacture of tablets. These excipients may be for example, inert diluents, such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lactose, calcium phosphate or sodium phosphate; granulating and disintegrating agents, for example, corn starch, or alginic acid; binding agents, for example starch, gelatin or acacia, and lubricating agents, for example magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc. The tablets may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques. In some cases such coatings may be prepared by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. For example, a time delay material such as glyceryl monosterate or glyceryl distearate may be employed.

Formulations for oral use may also be presented as hard gelatin capsules, wherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium, for example peanut oil, liquid paraffin or olive oil.

Formulations for oral use may also be presented as lozenges.

Aqueous suspensions contain the active materials in admixture with excipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions. Such excipients are suspending agents, for example sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydropropyl-methylcellulose, sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum tragacanth and gum acacia; dispersing or wetting agents may be a naturally-occurring phosphatide, for example, lecithin, or condensation products of an alkylene oxide with fatty acids, for example polyoxyethylene stearate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with long chain aliphatic alcohols, for example heptadecaethyleneoxycetanol, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and a hexitol such as polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides, for example polyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The aqueous suspensions may also contain one or more preservatives, for example ethyl, or n-propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, one or more coloring agents, one or more flavoring agents, and one or more sweetening agents, such as sucrose or saccharin.

Oily suspensions may be formulated by suspending the active ingredients in a vegetable oil, for example arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil, or in a mineral oil such as liquid paraffin. The oily suspensions may contain a thickening agent, for example beeswax, hard paraffin or cetyl alcohol. Sweetening agents and flavoring agents may be added to provide palatable oral preparations. These compositions may be preserved by the addition of an anti-oxidant such as ascorbic acid.

Dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueous suspension by the addition of water provide the active ingredient in admixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, suspending agent and one or more preservatives. Suitable dispersing or wetting agents or suspending agents are exemplified by those already mentioned above. Additional excipients, for example sweetening, flavoring and coloring agents, may also be present.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be in the form of oil-in-water emulsions. The oily phase may be a vegetable oil or a mineral oil or mixtures of these. Suitable emulsifying agents may be naturally-occurring gums, for example gum acacia or gum tragacanth, naturally-occurring phosphatides, for example soy bean, lecithin, and esters or partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol, anhydrides, for example sorbitan monooleate, and condensation products of the said partial esters with ethylene oxide, for example polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The emulsions may also contain sweetening and flavoring agents.

Syrups and elixirs may be formulated with sweetening agents, for example glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol, glucose or sucrose. Such formulations may also contain a demulcent, a preservative and flavoring and coloring agents. The pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspension. This suspension may be formulated according to the known art using those suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents that have been mentioned above. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parentally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono-or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid find use in the preparation of injectables.

The compounds of general Formula I may also be administered in the form of suppositories, e.g., for rectal administration of the drug. These compositions can be prepared by mixing the drug with a suitable non-irritating excipient that is solid at ordinary temperatures but liquid at the rectal temperature and will therefore melt in the rectum to release the drug. Such materials include cocoa butter and polyethylene glycols.

Compounds of general Formula I may be administered parenterally in a sterile medium. The drug, depending on the vehicle and concentration used, can either be suspended or dissolved in the vehicle. Advantageously, adjuvants such as local anesthetics, preservatives and buffering agents can be dissolved in the vehicle. For disorders of the eye or other external tissues, e.g., mouth and skin, the formulations are preferably applied as a topical gel, spray, ointment or cream, or as a suppository, containing the active ingredients in a total amount of, for example, 0.075 to 30% w/w, preferably 0.2 to 20% w/w and most preferably 0.4 to 15% w/w. When formulated in an ointment, the active ingredients may be employed with either paraffinic or a water-miscible ointment base.

Alternatively, the active ingredients may be formulated in a cream with an oil-in-water cream base. If desired, the aqueous phase of the cream base may include, for example at least 30% w/w of a polyhydric alcohol such as propylene glycol, butane-1,3-diol, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol, polyethylene glycol and mixtures thereof. The topical formulation may desirably include a compound which enhances absorption or penetration of the active ingredient through the skin or other affected areas. Examples of such dermal penetration enhancers include dimethylsulfoxide and related analogs. The compounds of this invention can also be administered by a transdermal device. Preferably topical administration will be accomplished using a patch either of the reservoir and porous membrane type or of a solid matrix variety. In either case, the active agent is delivered continuously from the reservoir or microcapsules through a membrane into the active agent permeable adhesive, which is in contact with the skin or mucosa of the recipient. If the active agent is absorbed through the skin, a controlled and predetermined flow of the active agent is administered to the recipient. In the case of microcapsules, the encapsulating agent may also function as the membrane. The transdermal patch may include the compound in a suitable solvent system with an adhesive system, such as an acrylic emulsion, and a polyester patch. The oily phase of the emulsions of this invention may be constituted from known ingredients in a known manner. While the phase may comprise merely an emulsifier, it may comprise a mixture of at least one emulsifier with a fat or oil or with both a fat and an oil. Preferably, a hydrophilic emulsifier is included together with a lipophilic emulsifier, which acts as a stabilizer. It is also preferred to include both an oil and a fat. Together, the emulsifier(s) with or without stabilizer(s) make-up the so-called emulsifying wax, and the wax together with the oil and fat make up the so-called emulsifying ointment base, which forms the oily, dispersed phase of the cream formulations. Emulsifiers and emulsion stabilizers suitable for use in the formulation of the invention include Tween 60, Span 80, cetostearyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, and sodium lauryl sulfate, among others. The choice of suitable oils or fats for the formulation is based on achieving the desired cosmetic properties, since the solubility of the active compound in most oils likely to be used in pharmaceutical emulsion formulations is very low. Thus, the cream should preferably be a non-greasy, non-staining and washable product with suitable consistency to avoid leakage from tubes or other containers. Straight or branched chain, mono- or dibasic alkyl esters such as di-isoadipate, isocetyl stearate, propylene glycol diester of coconut fatty acids, isopropyl myristate, decyl oleate, isopropyl palmitate, butyl stearate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate or a blend of branched chain esters may be used. These may be used alone or in combination depending on the properties required. Alternatively, high melting point lipids such as white soft paraffin and/or liquid paraffin or other mineral oils can be used.

Formulations suitable for topical administration to the eye also include eye drops wherein the active ingredients are dissolved or suspended in suitable carrier, especially an aqueous solvent for the active ingredients. The anti-inflammatory active ingredients are preferably present in such formulations in a concentration of 0.5 to 20%, advantageously 0.5 to 10% and particularly about 1.5% w/w. For therapeutic purposes, the active compounds of this combination invention are ordinarily combined with one or more adjuvants appropriate to the indicated route of administration. The compounds may be admixed with lactose, sucrose, starch powder, cellulose esters of alkanoic acids, cellulose alkyl esters, talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, magnesium oxide, sodium and calcium salts of phosphoric and sulfuric acids, gelatin, acacia gum, sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and/or polyvinyl alcohol, and then tableted or encapsulated for convenient administration. Such capsules or tablets may contain a controlled-release formulation as may be provided in a dispersion of active compound in hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. Formulations for parenteral administration may be in the form of aqueous or non-aqueous isotonic sterile injection solutions or suspensions. These solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders or granules having one or more of the carriers or diluents mentioned for use in the formulations for oral administration. The compounds may be dissolved in water, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, ethanol, corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, benzyl alcohol, sodium chloride, and/or various buffers. Other adjuvants and modes of administration are well and widely known in the pharmaceutical art.

Dosage levels of the order of from about 0.1 mg to about 140 mg per kilogram of body weight per day are useful in the treatment of the above-indicated conditions (about 0.5 mg to about 7 g per patient per day). The amount of active ingredient that may be combined with the carrier materials to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration. Dosage unit forms will generally contain between from about 1 mg to about 500 mg of an active ingredient. The daily dose can be administered in one to four doses per day. In the case of skin conditions, it may be preferable to apply a topical preparation of compounds of this invention to the affected area two to four times a day.

Formulations suitable for inhalation or insufflation include solutions and suspensions in pharmaceutically acceptable aqueous or organic solvents, or mixtures thereof, and powders. The liquid or solid compositions may contain suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipients as describe above. The compositions may be administered by oral or nasal respiratory route for local or systemic effect. Compositions may be nebulized by use of inert gases or vaporized, and breathed directly from the nebulizing/vaporizing device or the nebulizing device may be attached to a face mask tent or intermittent positive pressure breathing machine.

It will be understood, however, that the specific dose level for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific compound employed, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration, route of administration, and rate of excretion, drug combination and the severity of the particular disease undergoing therapy.

For administration to non-human animals, the composition may also be added to the animal feed or drinking water. It may be convenient to formulate the animal feed and drinking water compositions so that the animal takes in a therapeutically appropriate quantity of the composition along with its diet. It may also be convenient to present the composition as a premix for addition to the feed or drinking water.

The disclosures in this document of all articles and references, including patents, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The invention is illustrated further by the following examples, which are not to be construed as limiting the invention in scope or spirit to the specific procedures described in them.

The starting materials and various intermediates may be obtained from commercial sources, prepared from commercially available compounds, and/or prepared using known synthetic methods.

General Synthetic Procedures

The compounds of the invention can be prepared using methods known in the art of organic synthesis. For example, the compounds of the invention, as well as all intermediates, can be synthesized by known processes using either solution or solid phase techniques, as shown below. Representative procedures for preparing compounds of the invention are outlined in the following schemes.

Additionally, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, conventional protecting groups may be necessary to prevent certain functional groups from undergoing undesired reactions. Suitable protecting groups for various functional groups as well as suitable conditions for protecting and deprotecting particular functional groups are well known in the art. For example, numerous protecting groups are described in T. W. Greene and G. M. Wuts, Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, Second Edition, Wiley, New York, 1991, and references cited therein.

Certain compounds of this invention are prepared from other compounds of this invention via known reactions and functional group transformations. Examples of such transformations are ester hydrolysis, amide formation, and reductive alkylation; with examples of these are described in the preparations below. Starting materials are obtained from commercial sources or prepared by known methods as described in the examples below.

Compounds included in this invention are exemplified by the following examples, which should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure. Analogous formulas and alternative synthetic routes within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Method 1 Preparation of 9-(5-chlorothiophen-2-ylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane

The cyclooctane-1,4-syn-ditosylate (45.3 mg, 0.10 mmol; from commercial diol by literature procedure: Heterocycles, 2000, 52(2), 929-934) and the primary sulfonamide (21.7 mg, 0.11 mmol) and tetrabutylammonium hydrogensulfate (18 mg, 0.05 mmol) were suspended in 50% aq. KOH (0.25 mL) and toluene (0.25 mL) and stirred evenly in a capped vial heated to 80° C. Upon complete consumption of the di-tosylate (20-100 h, LC-MS), the reaction was diluted with dichloromethane and water. The organic phase was separated, washed four times with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄), applied to silica gel column and eluted (0-10% EtOAc in dichloromethane) to yield the product upon evaporation. MS (ES) m/e 306.0 (M+H)⁺.

The following compounds were prepared essentially according the procedures of method 1:

-   9-(5-bromothiophen-2-ylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane: MS (ES)     m/e 350.0 (M+H)⁺. -   9-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane: MS (ES) m/e     344.0 (M+H)⁺. -   9-(4-bromo-3-fluorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane: MS     (ES) m/e 362.0 (M+H)⁺. -   9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane: MS (ES) m/e     300.0 (M+H)⁺. -   9-(3-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane: MS (ES) m/e     300.0 (m+H)⁺. -   9-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane: MS     (ES) m/e 334.0 (M+H)⁺.

9-(3,5-dichlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane: MS (ES) m/e 334.0 (M+H)⁺.

-   9-(4-fluorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane: MS (ES) m/e     284.0 (M+H)⁺. -   9-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane: MS     (ES) m/e 350.0 (M+H)⁺. -   9-(benzylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane: MS (ES) m/e 280.0     (M+H)⁺.

Method 2 Preparation of 9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one hydrochloride

The pseudo-pelletierine (3.35 g, 21.9 mmol) was dissolved in 1,2-dichloroethane (18 mL) and 1-chloroethyl chloroformate (4.7 g, 33 mmol) is added all at once with good stirring. After stirring 30 min at RT, the stirred mixture is heated in a 90° C. bath for 3 h and evaporated under a stream of nitrogen. The residue is taken up in dry MeOH (25 mL) and slowly heated to reflux for 2 h and evaporated under a stream of nitrogen. The solids are taken up in additional dry MeOH and heated in a 90° C. bath and evaporated again to yield 3.8 g the hydrochloride salt. MS (ES) m/e 140.0 (M+H)⁺.

Method 3 Preparation of 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one

The amine hydrochloride (2.98 g, 16.9 mmol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (20 mL) and 4 M aq NaOH (11 mL). The 4-chlorobenzenesulfonyl chloride (5.07 g, 24 mmol) is added all at once to the reaction mixture with good stirring. After stirring at RT for 16 h, N,N-diethyl-ethylenediamine (1.39 g, 12 mmol) is added and stirred for 1 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with dichloromethane and acidified to pH 4 using aq NaHSO₄. The aqueous phase was separated and extracted once with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases were washed with 5% NaHSO₄ (three times), water, brine, and then dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated to yield 5.03 g of the product upon evaporation. Further purification was optionally performed by applying the product in dichloromethane to a silica gel column and elution (0-10% EtOAc in dichloromethane) to yield the purified product upon evaporation. MS (ES) m/e 314.0 (M+H)⁺.

The following compounds were prepared essentially according to the procedures described in methods 2 and 3.

-   9-(4-iodophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one: MS (ES) m/e     406.0 (M+H)⁺. -   8-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane: MS (ES) m/e     286.0 (M+H)⁺. -   8-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane: MS (ES) m/e     330.0 (M+H)⁺. -   8-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one: MS (ES)     m/e 300.0 (M+H)⁺. -   8-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one: MS (ES)     m/e 344.0 (M+H)⁺. -   8-(4-iodophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one: MS (ES) m/e     391.0 (M+H)⁺. -   tert-butyl 3-oxo-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-9-carboxylate: MS (ES)     m/e 262.0 (M+Na)⁺.

Method 4 Preparation of 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-ol

The ketone (31 mg, 0.10 mmol) was warmed to dissolution in methanol (2 mL), cooled to room temperature, and excess sodium borohydride (250 mg) was added. As the stirred reaction warmed, vigorous hydrogen evolution occurred. Once gas evolution ceased (˜2 h), the reaction mixture was evaporated, aq NaHSO₄ and dichloromethane were added. The aqueous phase was separated and extracted once with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases were washed with water, aq NaHCO₃, brine, and then dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and applied to a silica gel column and eluted (0-25% EtOAc/MeOH (5:1) in dichloromethane) to yield the product upon evaporation. MS (ES) m/e 316.0 (M+H)⁺.

The following compounds were prepared essentially according to the procedures described in method 4.

-   exo-8-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ol MS     (ES) m/e 302.0 (M+H)⁺. -   endo-8-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ol MS     (ES) m/e 302.0 (M+H)⁺.

Method 5 Preparation of 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one oxime

To a suspension of the ketone (31 mg, 0.10 mmol), sodium acetate (41 mg, 0.5 mmol) and glacial acetic acid (0.8 mL) in a vial was added the hydroxylamine hydrochloride (31 mg, 0.25 mmol) with good stirring. The vial was capped and the reaction mixture was stirred evenly and heated to 100° C. Upon complete consumption of the enol-ketone (2-18 h, LC-MS), the reaction mixture was evaporated under a stream of nitrogen while being warmed in a 90° C. bath. The brown residue was dissolved with dichloromethane and water. The organic phase was washed with 5% NaHSO₄ (3×), 5% NaHCO₃ (2×), and brine (2×), dried (Na₂SO₄), applied to a silica gel column and eluted (0-10% EtOAc in dichloromethane) to yield the product upon evaporation. MS (ES) m/e 306.0 (M+H)⁺.

Method 6 Preparation of 8-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-methylene-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane

A solution of triphenylphosphonium bromide (179 mg, 0.50 mmol) in THF (2.0 mL) was placed under nitrogen and stirred in a −78° C. bath while potassium tert-butoxide in THF (0.5 mL, 1.0 M) was added all at once. After allowing the reaction mixture to warm to 0° C. for 15 min, it was recooled to −78° C., and the ketone (60 mg, 0.20 mmol) dissolved in THF (1 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was allowed to slowly warm to room temperature as it stirred overnight. LC-MS indicated that the reaction was complete so methanol (0.5 mL) was added. The reaction mixture was opened and diluted with hexanes to precipitate the phosphorus byproducts. The organic phase was decanted from the precipitates and evaporated. The organic residue was dissolved in dichloromethane and EtOAc and passed through a short column of neutral alumina and concentrated. The residue was applied to silica gel column and eluted (chloroform, then 0-5% EtOAc in dichloromethane) to yield the product upon evaporation. MS (ES) m/e 288.0 (M+H)⁺.

The following compounds were prepared essentially according to the procedure described in method 6.

-   8-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)-3-methylene-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane: MS     (ES) m/e 342.0 (M+H)⁺. -   9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-methylene-g-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane: MS     (ES) m/e 312.0 (M÷H)⁺.

Method 7 Preparation of 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-2-(hydroxymethylene)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one

The ketone (1.88 g, 6.00 mmol) was warmed to dissolution in ethyl formate (15 mL) and THF (4 mL), cooled to room temperature, and dry ethanol (4 mL) was added. To the reaction mixture was added all at once 21% sodium ethoxide in ethanol (6.72 mL, 18.0 mmol), capped and stirred vigorously for 30 min at RT and for 1 h in a 70° C. bath. The reaction mixture was evaporated under a stream of nitrogen while being warmed in a 70° C. bath. The amber residue was dissolved with dichloromethane and water and acidified to pH 3-4 using NaHSO₄. The aqueous phase was separated and extracted once with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases were washed with water, brine, and then dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated to yield 1.8 g the product upon evaporation. MS (ES) m/e 342.0 (M+H)⁺.

Method 8 Preparation of diethyl 3-oxo-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4-dicarboxylate

The diethylacetone-1,3-dicarboxylate (60.62 g, 300 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (100 mL) and water (50 mL), and 50% aq glutaraldehyde (63.32 g, 315 mmol) was added all at once with good stirring. The reaction mixture was placed in a 48-50° C. bath and stirred while a 35° C. aq ammonium chloride solution (24.0 g, 0.460 mmol; 80 mL water) was added over 20 min. After stirring. 2 h in the 50° C. bath the starting materials had been predominantly consumed (LC-MS), so the reaction mixture was evaporated under a stream of nitrogen while being warmed in a 90° C. bath to yield a slurry of the hydrochloride salt (˜230 cc) MS (ES) m/e 284.0 (M+H)⁺.

Method 9 Preparation of diethyl 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-oxo-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4-dicarboxylate

The slurry of amine hydrochloride from Method 8 (using glutaraldehyde; ˜300 mmol) was suspended in dichloromethane (150 mL) and 4 M aq NaOH (120 mL). To the well-stirred reaction mixture was added 4-chlorobenzenesulfonyl chloride (73.14 g, 346.5 mmol) in dichloromethane (70 mL) over 10 min. After stirring at RT for 1 h, an additional 20 mL 4M NaOH and 10 mL satd aq NaHCO₃ were added to maintain the reaction mixture pH between pH 5.5-8.5. After stirring at RT for 2 h, N,N-diethyl-ethylenediamine (13.9 g, 120 mmol) is added dropwise and stirred for 1 h. The reaction mixture was acidified to pH 6 using aq NaHSO₄. The aqueous phase was separated and extracted once with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases were washed with 5% NaHSO₄ (three times), water, brine, and then dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated to yield 129 g (94% yield overall from diethyl acetonedicarboxylate) of the enol-diester product as a semisolid after applying full vacuum (18 h, 50° C. bath). MS (ES) m/e 458.0 (M+H)⁺.

Method 10 Preparation of ethyl 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-oxo-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2-carboxylate

The ketodiester (14.0 g, 30.58 mmol) was dissolved in warm ethanol (20 mL) and 2.0 M aq NaOH (38.3 mL, 76.5 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred in a 100° C. bath for 2 h, where LC-MS showed consumption of the diester. After cooling to RT, concentrated aq NaHSO₄ was added cautiously (CO₂ evolution) with stirring until the reaction mixture was acidified to pH 1-2, and stirred an additional 30 min in a 50° C. bath. The reaction mixture was then extracted with dichloromethane (3×), and the combined organic phases were washed with 5% NaHCO₃. (2×), water, brine, and then dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated to yield 9.75 g (83% yield) of the product which crystallized on standing. MS (ES) m/e 386.0 (M+H)⁺.

Method 11 Preparation of 2-bromo-9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one and 2-amino-9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one

To a solution of the ketone (9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one, 31 mg, 0.10 mmol) dissolved in ethyl acetate (0.8 mL) and chloroform (0.4 mL) was added cupric bromide (34.6 mg, 0.12 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred in a 85° C. bath for 4 h, whereupon LC-MS showed nearly complete consumption of the ketone. After cooling to RT, the reaction mixture was diluted with dichloromethane, filtered, and washed with 10% NaHSO₃, water, brine, and then dried (Na₂SO₄) passed through silica gel and evaporated to yield the crude bromide product. MS (ES) m/e 392.0 (M+H)⁺.

The bromo-ketone (25 mg) dissolved in THF (2 mL) was added ammonium hydroxide (2 mL), and the reaction mixture was capped stirred in an 85° C. bath for 4 h. After cooling to RT, the reaction mixture was evaporated, diluted with dichloromethane, and washed with water, brine, and then dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated to yield the amino-ketone product. MS (ES) m/e 329.0 (M+H)⁺.

The following compound was prepared essentially according to the procedure described in method 11.

-   tert-butyl 2-bromo-3-oxo-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-9-carboxylate; MS     (ES) m/e 392.0 (M+H)⁺.

Method 12 Preparation of 2-acetyl-9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one

The ketone (9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one, 94 mg, 0.30 mmol) under nitrogen was dissolved in THF (1.5 mL), and with good stirring at room temperature, lithium diisopropylamide (1.0 M in cyclohexane/THF, 1.0 mL, 1.0 mmol) was added all at once by syringe. After stirring for 15 min, pyruvonitrile (140 mg, 2.0 mmol) was added all at once to the reaction mixture and stirred vigorously for 30 min at RT and for 24 h in a 60° C. bath. The reaction mixture was partially evaporated under a stream of nitrogen while being warmed in a 70° C. bath. The black residue was dissolved with water and dichloromethane and acidified with aq NaHSO₄. The organic phase was separated and combined with one additional dichloromethane extraction of the aq phase. The organic phase was washed with 0.1 M NaOH (3×), and the basic washes were combined and acidified to pH 1-2 using aq NaHSO₄. The acidic phase was extracted with dichloromethane (3×), and the combined dichloromethane extracts were washed with brine (2×), and then dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated to yield the brown solid product. MS (ES) m/e 356.0 (M+H)⁺.

Method 13 Preparation of 1-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)piperidine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid

A mixture of 10.4 g (62.1 mmol) 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid, 5.1 mL (62.1 mmol) conc. HCl, 115 mg (0.51 mmol) PtO₂, and 100 mL water, was shaken under 65 psi hydrogen in a Parr bottle. As hydrogen was consumed during several hours of shaking, the Parr bottle was repeatedly repressurized to 65 psi, until hydrogen consumption ceased, indicating complete hydrogenation. Both prior to and following complete hydrogenation, undissolved white organic solids remained suspended in the water solvent. Following hydrogenation, 18.6 mL (186 mmol) 10 M NaOH in water, and 6.58 g (62.1 mmol) K₂CO₃ were added to the mixture in the Parr bottle, and the mixture was stirred, causing the dissolution of all solids, except Pt(0). To the mixture were added 50 mL THF and a magnetic stir bar, and the resulting two phases were cooled to <3 C, by stirring and immersing the Parr bottle in an ice-water bath. To this mixture was added 13.1 g (62.1 mmol) 4-chlorobenzenesulfonyl chloride, and the mixture was stirred overnight, as the ice melted, and the mixture warmed to room temperature. Approximately 25 mL THF was evaporated, by blowing air towards the solution, causing the precipitation of a solid. 100 mL water was added, causing the just formed precipitate to redissolve. The mixture was filtered through filter paper to remove Pt(0), and acidified by addition of 20 mL conc. HCl, causing the formation of a precipitate. The precipitate was collected by filtration through a fritted glass funnel, rinsed with water, and dried under vacuum, to afford 8.0 g (37%) cis-1-(4-chlorobenzenesulfonyl)-piperidine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid as a white solid.

Method 14 Preparation of 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-phenyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4-dione

To a solution of 200 mg (0.575 mmol) cis-1-(4-chlorobenzenesulfonyl)-piperidine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, 52 uL (0.575 mmol) aniline, and 489 uL (3.45 mmol) Et₃N in 2.0 mL DMF, was added 656 mg (1.72 mmol) HATU. The mixture was stirred, generating a solution and a perceptible exotherm. After stirring overnight, 4 mL water was added to the solution, causing the formation of a precipitate, which was isolated by centrifugation and decanting the supernatant solution. The precipitate was dissolved in 6 mL CHCl₃, and the resulting solution was washed sequentially with 6 mL portions of 1 M KHSO₄, water, sat. NaHCO₃, and sat NaCl. The CHCl₃ solution was passed through a plug of laboratory tissue stuffed in a pipette, and the filtrate evaporated to afford 190 mg (82%) of the desired product as an off-white solid. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.79 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.58 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.39-7.26 (m, 3H), 6.42-6.39 (m, 2H), 4.83 (t, J=3 Hz, 2H), 2.24-2.08 (m, 4H), 2.02-1.96 (m, 1H), 1.77-1.62 (m, 1H)

Method 15 Preparation of 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-phenyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane

A solution of 75 mg (9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3-phenyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]-nonane-2,4-dione, 0.185 mmol) of the imide and 176 uL (1.85 mmol) borane dimethylsulfide complex in 2.0 mL THF was stirred and heated to reflux under nitrogen for 90 min. The mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature, and then opened to air, and then 2.0 mL 1 M HCl was added carefully, causing the evolution of much gas. The THF was evaporated, and then 4.0 mL 1 M NaOH in water was added, and the mixture was extracted twice with 6 mL portions of Et₂O. The Et₂O extracts were passed through a plug of laboratory tissue stuffed in a pipette, and the filtrate evaporated to give a solid white residue. The residue was recrystallized from hot methanol, to afford the 66 mg (75%) of the desired product as colorless crystals. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.82 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.47 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.26 (t, J=7.9, 2H), 6.87-6.81 (m, 3H), 4.17 (bs, 2H), 3.58 (d, J=11.4 Hz, 2H), 3.09-3.04 (m, 2H), 2.56-2.39 (m, 1H), 1.97-1.85 (m, 2H), 1.81-1.74 (m, 2H), 1.57-1.50 (m, 1H).

Method 16 Preparation of 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-phenyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-2-one

To a stirred solution of 75 mg (0.185 mmol) of the imide (9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3-phenyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4-dione) in 2.0 mL MeOH and 2.0 mL THF maintained at 0 C, was added 35 mg (0.926 mmol) NaBH₄. After stirring for 15 min at 0 C, TLC of the reaction mixture directly spotted onto silica gel, and eluted with 2:1 hexanes/EtOAc, showed complete consumption of the starting material. The reaction mixture was quenched by addition of 2.0 mL sat. NH₄Cl, causing the evolution of gas, and generating an inorganic precipitate. To the mixture was added 2.0 mL water, dissolving the inorganic precipitate. The mixture was extracted with 2×5 mL EtOAc, and the EtOAc extracts were passed through a plug of laboratory tissue stuffed in a pipette, and the filtrate evaporated, affording the hydroxymethyl secondary carboxamide intermediate as a white solid. To a solution of the entire portion of this white solid and 210 mg (0.80 mmol) PPh₃ in 2.0 mL anhydrous THF maintained at 0 C under nitrogen, was added 126 uL (0.8 mmol) diethyl azodicarboxylate. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0 C for 4 h, and then at room temperature for 44 h. To the stirred reaction mixture was added 2.0 mL MeOH and then 4.0 mL water, generating an exotherm and a mild cloudiness. The mixture was stirred for 24 h, generating a precipitate, which was isolated by decanting the supernatant. TLC and 1H NMR analysis of the precipitate indicated about 80% pure lactam. The precipitate was purified by recrystallization from hot iPrOH/MeOH, affording 32 mg (44%) as colorless crystals. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.88 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.55 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.35 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.30-7.25 (m, 1H), 6.77 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 4.54 (bs, 1H), 4.46-4.25 (m, 1H), 3.78-3.72 (m, 1H), 3.34 (d, J=12.9 Hz, 1H), 2.20-1.82 (m, 6H).

Method 17

Preparation of:

This compound can be prepared from 9-methyl-3-thia-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-7-one (see: Zirkle, Charles L.; Gems, Fred R.; Pavloff, Alex M.; Burger, Alfred. The isomeric 3-oxa- and 3-thiagranatanin-7-ols and their derivatives; reduction of bicyclic amino ketones related to tropinone. Journal of Organic Chemistry (1961), 26 395-407) and by using methods and procedures described herein.

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES Notch Signaling Assay for Selective Inhibitors of Gamma Secretase

A convergence of evidence indicates that the gamma secretase complex, comprised of the presenilin subunits, mediates the intra-membrane cleavage of Amyloid precursor protein (APP), and the Notch family of proteins (De Strooper, B., P. Saftig, K. Craessaerts, H. Vanderstichele, G. Guhde, W. Annaert, K. Von Figura and F. Van Leuven (1998). “Deficiency of presenilin-1 inhibits the normal cleavage of amyloid precursor protein.” Nature 391(6665): 387-90; De Strooper, B., W. Annaert, P. Cupers, P. Saftig, K. Craessaerts, J. S. Mumm, E. H. Schroeter, V. Schrijvers, M. S. Wolfe, W. J. Ray et al. (1999). “A presenilin-1-dependent gamma-secretase-like protease mediates release of Notch intracellular domain.”Nature 398(6727): 518-22; Mumm, J. S., E. H. Schroeter, M. T. Saxena, A. Griesemer, X. Tian, D. J. Pan, W. J. Ray and R. Kopan (2000). “A ligand-induced extracellular cleavage regulates gamma-secretase-like proteolytic activation of Notch1.” Mol Cell 5(2): 197-206; Zhang, Z., P. Nadeau, W. Song, D. Donoviel, M. Yuan, A. Bernstein and B. A. Yankner (2000). “Presenilins are required for gamma-secretase cleavage of beta-APP and transmembrane cleavage of Notch-1.” Nat Cell Biol 2(7): 463-5). Cleavage of APP by gamma secretase leads to beta-amyloid synthesis. Cleavage of Notch1 by gamma secretase results in release of the Notch intracellular domain (NICD), which translocates to the nucleus and activates gene expression (Jarriault, S., C. Brou, F. Logeat, E. H. Schroeter, R. Kopan and A. Israel (1995). “Signalling downstream of activated mammalian Notch.” Nature 377(6547): 355-8; Kopan, R., E. H. Schroeter, H. Weintraub and J. S, Nye (1996). “Signal transduction by activated Notch: importance of proteolytic processing and its regulation by the extracellular domain.” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 93(4): 1683-8; Schroeter, E. H., J. A. Kisslinger and R. Kopan (1998). “Notch-1 signalling requires ligand-induced proteolytic release of intracellular domain.” Nature 393(6683): 382-6). In particular, Notch signaling activates transcription of the mammalian homolog of the Drosophila transcription factor hairy-enhancer of split (Hes). Transcriptional activation of Hest is mediated by de-repression of CBF1/RBPJk upon binding by NICD in the nucleus. These facts have been exploited to develop a reporter gene assay for Notch Signaling Hsieh, J. J., T. Henkel, P. Salmon, E. Robey, M. G. Peterson and S. D. Hayward (1996). “Truncated mammalian Notch1 activates CBF1/RBPJk-repressed genes by a mechanism resembling that of Epstein-Barr virus EBNA2.” Mol Cell Biol 16(3): 952-9; Lu, F. M. and S. E. Lux (1996). “Constitutively active human Notch1 binds to the transcription factor CBF1 and stimulates transcription through a promoter containing a CBF1-responsive element.” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 93(11): 5663-7).

Gamma secretase inhibitors have been observed to block NICD formation, and inhibit Notch signaling (De Strooper, B., W. Annaert, P. Cupers, P. Saftig, K. Craessaerts, J. S. Mumm, E. H. Schroeter, V. Schrijvers, M. S. Wolfe, W. J. Ray et at. (1999). “A presenilin-1-dependent gamma-secretase-like protease mediates release of Notch intracellular domain.” Nature 398(6727): 518-22). Due to the importance of Notch signaling in cell fate determination, and tissue differentiation during both development and in the adult, inhibition of Notch signaling by gamma secretase inhibitors is postulated to be a limiting factor in their therapeutic utility. In order to identify selective gamma secretase inhibitors, we have employed a reporter gene based Notch signaling assay using a constitutively active rat Notch1 construct (ZEDN1) provided by Dr Gerry Weinmaster, who is at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) as described in Shawber, C., D. Nofziger, J. J. Hsieh, C. Lindsell, O. Bogler, D. Hayward and G. Weinmaster (1996). “Notch signaling inhibits muscle cell differentiation through a CBF1-independent pathway.” Development 122(12): 3765-73 in combination with the CBF1 repressible Luciferase reporter gene 4xwtCBF₁ Luc (Hsieh, J. J., T. Henkel, P. Salmon, E. Robey, M. G. Peterson and S. D. Hayward (1996). “Truncated mammalian Notch1 activates CBF1/RBPJk-repressed genes by a mechanism resembling that of Epstein-Barr virus EBNA2.” Mol Cell Biol 16(3): 952-9).

When 4xwtCBF1 Luciferase is co-transfected with NotchδE (ZEDN1), gamma-secretase cleavage of NotchδE releases the Notch intracellular domain (MCD), which translocates to the nucleus and de-represses CBF1 mediated transcriptional repression, leading to transcription of the Luciferase reporter gene. Luciferase activity is easily assayed in cell extracts using commercially available kits. The activity of the reporter gene is directly correlated with gamma secretase cleavage of NotchδE, and as such, a reduction in Luciferase activity provides a convenient measure of inhibition of gamma secretase cleavage of NotchδE. A comparison of the IC₅₀ values of compounds for inhibition of Notch signaling versus inhibition of beta-amyloid production in 293sw cells is employed to guide in the selection of compounds that have the desired property of potent inhibition of beta-amyloid synthesis with minimal inhibition of Notch Signaling.

Gamma-Secretase Assay

The gamma-secretase APP enzyme assay was designed to measure the specific proteolytic cleavage of an APP substrate (MBP-C125 Swe fusion protein) at the A1340 site. The assay used a partially purified extract of IMR-32 cell membranes as the gamma-secretase enzyme preparation and a recombinant fusion protein containing the C-terminal 125 amino acids of the Swedish variant of the APP (MBP-C125swe) as the substrate. This assay involved two steps beginning with the enzymatic reaction generating a cleavage product that was captured with an immobilized antibody specific for the neo-epitope A640 site. The captured cleavage product was then detected in a sandwich ELISA assay with a biotinylated reporter antibody that is specific to Aβ (17-28). Streptavidin-linked alkaline phosphatase was then added that would generate a fluorescent signal proportional to the amount of cleavage product. This assay was used to discover small molecule inhibitors of gamma-secretase.

Materials and Methods:

Briefly, a 149 mg/ml solution of BIGCHAP detergent was made with water at 42° C. and then rotated for 30 minutes at the same temperature. This warmed solution of BigCHAPS (N,N-Bis(3-D-gluconamidopropyl)cholamide) detergent was used to dissolve Brain Extract Type-V (lipid containing a minimum of 40% phosphatidylethanolamine) from Sigma (St. Louis, Mo.) to a concentration of 8 mg/ml. This solution containing BigCHAPS and lipid at 8 mg/ml is then diluted to 0.53 mg/ml lipid with a pre-warmed solution of Hepes and sodium chloride. This final solution containing Hepes buffer, sodium chloride, BigCHAPS detergent and lipid is used to create working solutions of both gamma-secretase (25 Units) and the MBP-C125 substrate (0.05 mg/ml).

Gamma-secretase was then added to a 96-well micro-titre plate and then incubated with various concentrations of inhibitor for 30 minutes at 37° C. MBP-C125 substrate was then added to initiate the reaction that would run for two hours at 37° C. The reaction was quenched with the addition of SDS to a final concentration of 0.1% and then 100 μl of the reaction mixture was transferred to a capture ELISA plate and incubated overnight at 4° C. Detection of the cleavage product was performed using a standard sandwich ELISA assay and quantified using a six point standard curve.

Results

The following compounds when tested as described above exhibited inhibition with an IC₅₀ in a range of 2000 nM to 5000 nM (A) or in a range of 1000 nM to 2500 nM (B) and in a range of less than 1000 nM (C).

Compounds γAPP 9-(5-chlorothiophen-2-ylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; A 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one; C 9-(5-bromothiophen-2-ylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; A 9-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; B 9-(4-bromo-3-fluorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; A 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; B 9-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; A 8-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane; A 8-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane; A 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one oxime; A 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-methylene-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; C 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-phenyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; B 9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4-dione; C 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-2-one; A 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-oxa-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; A 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-thia-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; C Methanesulfonic acid 9-(4-chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-yl ester; B 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-ol; A [9-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-yl]-methyl-carbamic acid tert- C butyl ester

The invention and the manner and process of making and using it, are now described in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, to make and use the same. It is to be understood that the foregoing describes preferred aspects of the invention and that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. To particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as invention, the following claims conclude this specification. 

1. A compound of the formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein, the A-ring is aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl, where each ring is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁; R₁ and R₂ combine to form a [3.3.1] or a [3.2.1] ring system, where 0 or 1 of the carbons in the ring system is optionally replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group; and where the [3.3.1] or [3.2.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₆, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; where x is 0, 1, or 2; R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with an aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S; R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₅ is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, —SO₂R′, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the A-ring is phenyl, C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, heteroaryl that is pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, or imidazolyl, or heterocycloalkyl that is pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, or thiomorpholinyl-S,S-dioxide, where each of the above rings is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 3. A compound according to claim 2 of formula

where 0 or 1 of the carbons in the [3.2.1] ring system is optionally replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group; x is 0, 1 or 2; the [3.2.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR′″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with an aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S; R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₅ is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, —SO₂R′, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, 1-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 4. A compound according to claim 3, where the A-ring is phenyl, which is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halogen 1-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 5. A compound according to claim 4, where 0 of the carbons in the [3.2.1] ring system is replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group.
 6. A compound according to claim 5, of formula

wherein, the [3.2.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, CN, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-OH, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenoxy, —S(O₂)R′, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with an aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S; R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5-groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 7. A compound according to claim 6, wherein R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, halo, CF₃, CHF₂ or methyl.
 8. A compound according to claim 6, wherein R₃, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen and R₄ is chloro.
 9. A compound according to claim 8, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₂ is C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂— phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂; and R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.
 10. A compound according to claim 8, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is not substituted.
 11. A compound according to claim 8, wherein the [3.2.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₂-C₆ alkenyl.
 12. A compound according to claim 6, where one carbon of the [3.2.1] ring system is replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group; wherein x is 0, 1 or 2; the [3.2.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; and R₁₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, or phenyl, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.
 13. A compound according to claim 12, of formula:

wherein. R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, CN, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-OH, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenoxy, —S(O₂)R′, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with an aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S; R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₅ is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, —SO₂R′, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 14. A compound according to claim 12 of formula,

wherein R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, CN, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-OH, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenoxy, —S(O₂)R′, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with optionally substituted with 1 to 5-groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with an aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S; R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 15. A compound according to claim 12 of formula;

wherein x is 0, 1 or 2 R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, CN, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-OH, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenoxy, —S(O₂)R′, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they, are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with an aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S; R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 16. A compound according to claim 3, where the A-ring is C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, which is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 17. A compound according to claim 3, where the A-ring is heteroaryl that is pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, or imidazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 18. A compound according to claim 3, where the A-ring is heterocycloalkyl that is pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, or thiomorpholinyl-S,S-dioxide, where each of the above rings is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 19. A compound according to claim 2 of the formula

0 or 1 of the carbons in the [3.3.1] ring system is optionally replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group; x is 0, 1 or 2; the [3.3.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with an aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S; R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₃ is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, —SO₂R′, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl groups are optionally, substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 20. A compound according to claim 19, where the A-ring is phenyl, which is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 21. A compound according to claim 20, where 0 or 1 of the carbons in the ring system is optionally replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group; and the [3.3.1] ring is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, O₂—C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, O₂—C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃.
 22. A compound according to claim 21, of formula

wherein, 0 carbons in the [3.3.1] ring system are replaced with an —O—, —S(O)—, or —NR₁₅— group; R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, CN, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-OH, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenoxy, —SO₂R′, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with an aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S; R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 23. A compound according to claim 22, wherein R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, halo, CF₃, CHF₂ or methyl.
 24. A compound according to 22, wherein R₃, R₅, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen and R₄ is chloro.
 25. A compound according to claim 22, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; where R₁₂ is C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂— phenyl, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN or NO₂; and R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the phenyl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.
 26. A compound according to claim 22, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is not substituted.
 27. A compound according to claim 22, wherein the [3.3.1] ring is substituted with 1 or 2 groups, at least one of which is C₂-C₆ alkenyl.
 28. A compound according to claim 22, where one carbon of the [3.3.1] ring system is replaced with an —O—, —S(O)_(x)—, or —NR₁₅— group; wherein x is 0, 1 or 2 the [3.3.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl-O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; and R₁₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, hydroxyl, or halogen, or phenyl, where the phenyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂.
 29. A compound according to claim 28 of formula

wherein the [3.3.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, CN, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-OH, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenoxy, —SO₂R′, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with an aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S; R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₅ is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, —SO₂R′, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 30. A compound according to claim 28, of formula

wherein the [3.3.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, CN, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-OH, —C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenoxy, —SO₂R′, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with an aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or R₁₂ and together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, G or S; R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen-, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 31. A compound according to claim 28 of formula

wherein x is 0, 1 or 2 the [3.3.1] ring system is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently oxo, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —O(C₁-C₂ alkyl)O—, —S(C₁-C₂ alkyl)S—, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkoxy, —C(O)OR₁₃, —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OR₁₃, —CONR₁₀R₁₁, —OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, —NR′C(O)OR″, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —OS(O)₂R′, —NR′COR″, CN, ═N—NR₁₂, or ═N—O—R₁₃; R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ are independently hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy, CN, hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —C₁-C₃-C₁-C₃ alkyl-alkoxy, phenoxy, —SO₂R′, —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, or phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups that are independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halogen, or C₁-C₄ alkanoyl wherein the alkanoyl group is optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen atoms; or R₄ and R₅, or R₅ and R₆ and the carbons to which they are attached form a benzo ring which is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₀ and R₁₁ at each occurrence are independently H or C₁-C₆ alkyl, where the alkyl is optionally substituted with an aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; or R₁₀ and R₁₁ together may form a 3-8 membered ring optionally including an additional heteroatom such as N, O or S; R₁₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or —SO₂-aryl, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; R₁₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, hydroxyl, or halogen, where the aryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, CN or NO₂; and R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, haloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 5 groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(O)OR′, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, CN, phenoxy, —SO₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, pyridyl, phenyl, NO₂, or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 32. A compound according to claim 18, where the A-ring is C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, which is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 33. A compound according to claim 18, where the A-ring is heteroaryl that is pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, or imidazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable positions with groups that are independently halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 34. A compound according to claim 18, where the A-ring is heterocycloalkyl that is pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, or thiomorpholinyl-S,S-dioxide, where each of the above rings is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, CN, phenoxy, —S(O)₀₋₂—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NR₁₀R₁₁, C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, C₀-C₃alkylCO₂R′, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, phenyl, phenyl C₁-C₄ alkyl or —SO₂NR₁₀R₁₁.
 35. A compound according to claim 1 that is selected from: 9-(5-chlorothiophen-2-ylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one; 9-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one; 9-(5-bromothiophen-2-ylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; 9-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; 9-(4-bromo-3-fluorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; 9-(3-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; 9-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; 9-(3,5-dichlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; 9-(4-fluorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; 9-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; 9-(4-iodophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one; 8-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane; 8-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane; 8-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one; 8-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one; 8-(4-iodophenylsulfonyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one; 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-ol; 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one oxime; 8-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-methylene-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane; 8-(4-bromophenylsulfonyl)-3-methylene-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane; 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-methylene-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-2-(hydroxymethylene)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]-nonan-3-one; diethyl 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-oxo-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4-dicarboxylate; ethyl 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-oxo-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2-carboxylate; 2-bromo-9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one; 2-amino-9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one; 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-phenyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4-dione; 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-phenyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-phenyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-2-one; 8-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ol; 9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4-dione; (2R)-2-{9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-yl}propan-1-ol; 9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; (2S)-2-{9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-yl}propan-1-ol; 9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3-carboxamide; 3-acetyl-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; 9-(4-chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-3-pyridin-2-yl-9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]-nonane; 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-2-one; 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-oxa-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-3-thia-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; Methanesulfonic acid 9-(4-chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-9-aza-bicyclo-[3.3.1]non-3-yl ester; 9-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-ol; [9-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-yl]-methyl-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester; 9-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-2-(1H-pyrrol-2-ylmethylene)-9-aza-bicyclo [3.3.1]nonan-3-one; 9-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-3-oxo-9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester; N-tosyl-[9-(4-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-ylidene]-hydrazine; and 2-aminomethylene-9-(4-chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one; including steroisomers, mixtures of stereoisomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 36. A method of treating Alzheimer's disease comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or salt of claim 1 to a patient in need of such treatment.
 37. A composition comprising a compound or salt of claim 1 and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, adjuvant, excipient, carrier, binder or disintegrant. 